Drama: Four Acts

The Forte di Belvedere reopens for summer 2026 with an extensive cultural program, reaffirming its role as one of the flagship venues of the Estate Fiorentina festival. Managed by the Fondazione MUS.E, the Medici-era fortress once again hosts major contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, talks, and cultural activities.

At the heart of the program is “Drama: Four Acts”, an exhibition project curated by Sergio Risaliti that unfolds throughout the summer through a series of exhibitions and installations exploring themes of conflict, memory, transformation, and the relationship between past and present. The exhibition series kicks off on June 24 on the first floor of the Palazzina with “God Year,” a solo exhibition by Paolo Canevari. On July 16, the focus shifts to Marino Marini—a master of 20th-century art—whose bronze sculptures will take center stage in the “No Heroes” exhibition. From that date, Marini's works will engage in a visual and conceptual dialogue with Canevari's, creating a highly dramatic display.

In September, the program expands with a third act: a site-specific installation by Norwegian artist Per Barclay titled “Oscuro Abbagliante” (Dazzling Darkness), which will forge a novel relationship with Marini’s works. Finally, accompanying visitors throughout the experience is a sound installation by Friedrich Andreoni, located on the bastion overlooking Florence.