Barga 2026 - Castle of Art

Barga becomes a "Castle of Art"

Throughout the season, from April to October, the medieval village of Barga, in the Province of Lucca (Tuscany), transforms into an authentic Castle of Art. The project, curated by Gianguido Grassi, is a true dispersed museum that brings contemporary art out of galleries and into the daily life of the town: the alleys, squares, churches, and historic spaces become open-air exhibition halls, where works of art engage with the ancient stones of one of the most evocative villages in the Garfagnana region.

A dispersed museum between historic spaces and private venues

The trail winds through numerous cultural landmarks of Barga. The institutional heart is the Municipal Gallery, flanked by the Rooms of Memory, the MUDY - Dynamo Museum in Fornaci di Barga, the Ricci Foundation, the Giovanni Pascoli Foundation, the OXO Collection - The Gallery, and the Quattro Archi Gallery. In addition to these, various private spaces scattered throughout the area expand the geography of the event, inviting visitors to explore every corner of the village.

Between contemporary research and the great masters

The hallmark of the Castle of Art is the dialogue between generations and languages: international artists, young Tuscan talents, and established masters alternate throughout the months of the season. The experience ranges from urban abstractionism to installations questioning the relationship between man and artificial intelligence, from photography to monumental sculpture, and even design and major tributes to the protagonists of the local scene. Provocative sculptures and large-scale interventions transform the visitor's perspective, as they traverse Barga as a single, continuously evolving work of art.

A project by the Municipality and the Start Attitude Association

The event stems from the established synergy between the Municipal Administration of Barga and the Start Attitude Association, with the support of local entities and the patronage of the Tuscany Region. More than just a simple exhibition series, the Castle of Art is a cultural project that aims to make Barga a reference point for contemporary art in Tuscany, capable of attracting audiences and collectors without losing its bond with the community and the identity of the village.

Why visit

• An entire medieval village transformed into an open-air gallery
• Exhibitions and installations distributed in fascinating historic and private spaces
• A long calendar, from April to October, with events renewing month after month
• Free entry to many spaces and an experience that combines art, landscape, and tradition