A multi-stage takeover of Florence's hilltop fortress that places contemporary critique and 20th-century bronze sculpture against panoramic views of the city.
Plan your visit for late afternoon to see the sculptures in the changing light; the fortress offers one of the best perspectives of Florence away from the central crowds.
Inside the exhibition
Drama: Four Acts at Belvedere Firenze in Florence, Italy, transforms the historic sixteenth-century fortress into a theatrical sequence of contemporary art interventions. The project evolves in stages, beginning with a solo presentation by Paolo Canevari before introducing works by Marino Marini and Per Barclay across the summer months.
The exhibition centers on Canevari’s use of industrial materials like tyre rubber to critique global power structures and the oil economy. His works, including an American flag draped over oil barrels, sit alongside 20th-century bronze sculptures by Marini. Later, Per Barclay adds a site-specific installation that shifts the visual rhythm of the grounds through his unique architectural approach.
By staging these works in an outdoor defensive structure, the exhibition explores themes of violence, memory, and sacredness. A sound installation by Friedrich Andreoni follows visitors along the bastions, grounding the conceptual weight of the sculpture in the physical atmosphere of the Tuscan landscape and the urban panorama below.
Worth travelling for?
A compelling outdoor experience for visitors who enjoy the intersection of contemporary political art and historic architecture with exceptional views over Florence.
Experience as an Artlover
Start at the Palazzina for the indoor works before walking the outer bastions to experience the sound elements and the dialogue between the sculptures and the city.
