Belluno City of Wood – Ex Tempore Wood Sculpture
Fifteen sculptors transform Belluno's city center into an open-air workshop
About Belluno City of Wood
Wood as the Soul of the Dolomites
Belluno Città del Legno is one of the most characteristic cultural events of the Belluno autumn. Its heart is the Ex Tempore Wood Sculpture, born in 1986, which every November draws sculptors from all over Italy to the historic center of Belluno. For several days, fifteen sculptors work live in the city's streets and squares, transforming blocks of wood into works of art before the eyes of passers-by.
A widespread workshop in the historic center
The event turns Belluno's center into a large open-air workshop. The award ceremony is held at Palazzo Crepadona, with prizes awarded by the juries of Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti, the press, and FIDAPA, in addition to the City of Belluno Prize and the Children's Prize.
Masks, Pastìn, and Tradition
Alongside the sculpture, the event offers tastings of pastìn — the typical Belluno meat paste — cultural conferences, exhibitions, and workshops. A recurring theme is the ritual masks of Dolomite culture, created in open-air workshops in Borgo Piave and compared with traditional figures from Sappada, Rivamonte, and Fornesighe, and with the Sardinian Mamuthones and Boes. The event is organized by the Belluno Centro Storico Consortium and celebrates the artisan and woodland identity of the province of Belluno.
Belluno City of Wood — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Belluno Città del Legno, featuring the 39th Ex Tempore Wood Sculpture, begins on November 4th. From November 4th to 9th, fifteen sculptors will create their works along the streets and squares of the historic center. This is a special edition as part of the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, bringing international attention to the region's cultural and artisan roots.
Programme Belluno City of Wood 2026
November 4-9, 2026 — Ex Tempore Wood Sculpture
- November 4-9 — Fifteen sculptors work live in the streets and squares of the historic center
- November 9 — Award ceremony at Palazzo Crepadona, with prizes from the juries of Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti, the Press, and FIDAPA
- November 8-9 & 15-16 — In Borgo Piave, in the courtyard of Palazzo Secco, an open-air workshop for creating Dolomite ritual masks
- Following weekend — Awarding of the City of Belluno Prize and the Children's Prize
The masks are the central theme of the edition, with an exhibition at the museum of Palazzo Secco comparing traditional figures from Sappada, Rivamonte, and Fornesighe with the Sardinian Mamuthones and Boes.
Highlights Belluno City of Wood 2026
Prices Belluno City of Wood 2026
Practical information — Belluno City of Wood
How to get there
Belluno is reachable by car from the A27 motorway (Belluno exit) and by train. Activities take place in the historic center and at Palazzo Crepadona.
Information
Consorzio Belluno Centro Storico, Piazza dei Martiri 16, tel. +39 0437 215255, [email protected].
Admission
Live sculptures in the streets and squares are freely visible.
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Where does it take place — Belluno City of Wood
Centro storico di Belluno - Palazzo Crepadona
Piazza dei Martiri 16, 32100 Belluno