Castelli Romani International Art Biennale

A month of contemporary art above Lake Nemi

The Castelli Romani International Art Biennale is the premier contemporary art exhibition in the Castelli Romani area. It is held in Nemi, a small village in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, perched above the dark, volcanic waters of the lake that bears its name. Established in 2015 and held biennially, the 2025 edition marked the event's sixth installment, cementing its reputation as a destination that attracts artists and visitors from far beyond the regional borders.

The Venue: Palazzo Ruspoli

The heart of the Biennale is Palazzo Ruspoli, the 17th-century castle that dominates Piazza Umberto I and the entire town. Its historic halls, with their antique ceilings and windows overlooking the lake, become an exhibition space for a month where contemporary works coexist with the stone and memory of the site. This choice gives the exhibition its most recognizable signature: it is not a neutral container, but a continuous dialogue between today's art and heritage.

An Open International Call

The Biennale is built on an open call, with no restrictions on age, nationality, or technique. Participants include painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, textile artists, and creators of installations, visual poetry, and sound art. Recent editions have seen dozens of international participants from over thirty countries, alongside a strong representation of artists from Lazio. The works are organized into thematic sections—such as peace and sacred art, travel, energy and restlessness, artifice and grace, humanity and nature, portraiture and the nude, and the freedom of living—giving the layout a narrative thread rather than a simple juxtaposition.

Awards and Recognition

The event concludes with a finissage during which awards are presented, including the Michelangelo Prize and the Biennale Prize. Winners are granted a free personal exhibition space in the castle halls, supported by the Municipality of Nemi: a tangible recognition designed to support the careers of selected artists rather than just offering symbolic praise. The artistic direction is entrusted to Professor Rosella Brecciaroli, the founder of the event.

The Village Surrounding the Exhibition

Those who travel to Nemi during the Biennale weeks find much more than just an exhibition. The village calendar is filled with concerts, folk dances, flower shows, workshops, and tastings. In June, the historic Strawberry Festival takes place, featuring parades of the local 'Fragolare' in traditional costume and the free distribution of Nemi strawberries in Piazza Roma. The combination of contemporary art and rural tradition is one of the most characteristic aspects of the event: the Biennale does not isolate itself from village life; it weaves through it.

Biennial Frequency

As a biennial event, the exhibition takes place every two years. Following the 2025 edition, the next is expected in 2027, with the usual call for entries released in the preceding months. In the intervening years, Palazzo Ruspoli and Pro Loco Nemi continue to host smaller-scale cultural and exhibition initiatives.

Why Visit

• A journey through international contemporary art in a fascinating historical setting
• Free admission and the opportunity to meet many of the exhibiting artists directly
• One of the most picturesque villages in the Castelli Romani, less than an hour from Rome
• Local cuisine, featuring Nemi wild strawberries and Castelli wines