Cobbled lanes, rolling vineyards, monumental artworks and the relaxed charm of Italian life… This summer, a small village in the heart of Chianti is hosting an open-air contemporary art exhibition by Sergio Fiorentino. A unique Tuscan escape unlike any other in Italy.
Tuscany is full of authentic villages, each more charming than the last, but only one transforms itself into an open-air art gallery this summer. Nestled among the hills of Chianti, Radda in Chianti is hosting the second edition of Radda Arte from 6 June to 20 September 2026. Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2019, the event returns with a distinguished guest artist: Sicilian painter and sculptor Sergio Fiorentino. For several months, his monumental sculptures, installations and paintings take over the village’s medieval streets, offering visitors an immersive blend of contemporary art and Tuscan heritage.
Radda in Chianti, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful villages
After winding through vineyards along a twisting country road, visitors arrive at Radda in Chianti, a picture-perfect village that seems lifted straight from a Tuscan postcard. Its ancient walls, cobbled streets and the historic coats of arms adorning the Palazzo del Podestà all bear witness to its rich past.
This small medieval town has preserved its timeless charm and the prestige of its former role as the capital of the League of Chianti. The village seems to invite visitors to slow down and wander through its shaded squares, family-run trattorias and artisan shops lining the narrow streets.
Contemporary art meets medieval streets
From now until 20 September 2026, the village is transformed into an open-air artistic trail. Alongside the natural beauty of the town, visitors can now discover the works of Sergio Fiorentino. Streets, squares and historic buildings become a vast outdoor gallery showcasing creations produced in his studio in Noto, Sicily.
Whether in the gallery space, along the main street or outside the charming Church of San Niccolò, visitors encounter sculptures, monumental photographs and paintings around every corner. Beyond the beauty of the individual works, it is the striking contrast between Fiorentino’s deep ultramarine blue and the village’s warm ochre tones that leaves a lasting impression. The result is a poetic vision that encourages visitors to look up and slow their pace.
The event also embraces artistic transmission and education through a collaboration with the Duccio di Buoninsegna Art School in Siena. The town’s noticeboards have been transformed into exhibition spaces where students can display their own works alongside the main exhibition.
Pieve Aldina, the exhibition’s other showcase
The artistic journey continues a few kilometres outside the village at Pieve Aldina, a 12th-century episcopal property that once served as a residence for the Bishops of Siena. Since 2023, the estate has been transformed into a 22-room Relais & Châteaux hotel belonging to the Fontenille collection.
Overlooking the Chianti hills, the property offers breathtaking views across vineyards and surrounding villages, undoubtedly one of the finest panoramas in the region.
It is here that visitors can discover another dimension of Sergio Fiorentino’s work. Inside the small Church of Santa Maria Novella, recently reopened after eighteen years of restoration, two large paintings of saints engage in a visual dialogue with the sacred architecture. Outside, two enormous textile hangings reproducing the artist’s paintings adorn the church walls.
One final stop
Before heading off to your next adventure, there is one final recommendation: a visit to Castello di Albola, just a few minutes from Radda. Owned by the Zonin family since 1979, the estate offers spectacular views over the vineyards and provides insight into the history of the famous Chianti Classico, easily recognised by its iconic Black Rooster emblem.
Situated at nearly 600 metres above sea level, the estate enjoys an exceptional setting and produces a local vintage that many have attempted to imitate, yet none have truly matched.
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