Argentario Literary Contest & Caravaggio Prize

A literary prize overlooking the Argentario

The National Argentario Literary Contest & Caravaggio Prize is one of the most anticipated events for the Italian writing community, seeking prestigious recognition outside of major publishing circuits. Promoted by the Metamorphosis Cultural Association, chaired by Laura Pieroni, the award reaches its tenth edition in 2026, reaffirming its bond with the Monte Argentario area, the Maremma promontory in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany. The awards ceremony is traditionally held in Porto Ercole, one of the two seaside villages in the municipality, chosen for a reason: it is precisely here that Caravaggio died in 1610, and the Caravaggio Prize, which accompanies the contest, draws inspiration from that historical link between classical art and modern literature.

Contest categories

The call for entries is open to adult authors, both Italian and international, with works in Italian. There are four competitive categories covering both prose and poetry:

• Published Fiction, with dedicated sub-genres (Emotion, Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror, Historical, Mystery/Thriller/Noir, Young Authors aged 18-28)
• Unpublished Fiction, for novels and short stories not yet published
• Published Poetry, for both collections and individual poems
• Unpublished Poetry, for individual lyrics

In addition, there is the Caravaggio Prize, a special recognition that celebrates a work of particular value each year. The themes are open, a choice that leaves ample room for diverse sensibilities and has helped make the contest a crossroads of voices and genres.

The awards ceremony

The heart of the event is the autumn awards ceremony, which brings finalists and winners of the various categories together in Porto Ercole. It is an afternoon dedicated to readings, jury remarks, and the presentation of trophies, personalized plaques, and certificates to the top-ranked participants. The 2025 edition saw international participation, consolidating the contest as one of the most followed fiction and poetry awards on the national scene.

Why participate and why visit the Argentario

Beyond the value of the recognition, the contest offers the opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful stretches of the Tuscan coast. Monte Argentario, with its two ports—Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole—its coves, Mediterranean scrub, and views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a destination that combines sea, history, and culture. Participating in the ceremony means experiencing a day where literature meets the identity of a territory deeply tied to maritime tradition and art.