Cortona On The Move
International photography festival in the Tuscan village of Cortona
About Cortona On The Move
The photography festival that put Cortona on the world map
Founded in 2011, Cortona On The Move has quickly become one of the most internationally recognized photography festivals. Its strength lies in its deep bond with its host location: Cortona, a stunning Etruscan village perched on the hills of the Valdichiana, in the province of Arezzo, in the heart of Tuscany. During the festival, the entire historic center turns into a widespread exhibition route, where images engage with alleys, Renaissance palaces, courtyards, and unexpected spaces.
An open-air museum
Exhibitions are set up in prestigious venues that are often closed to the public: Palazzo Casali, the Archaeological Park, ancient warehouses, former churches, and above all the Fortezza del Girifalco, which dominates the city from above and offers one of the most beautiful views over the valley. In recent years, the festival has expanded its boundaries to include the hamlet of Camucia, at the foot of the hill, bringing photography out of the tourist bubble and into the daily life of the local area.
Photojournalism and auteur research
Cortona On The Move is not just a simple exhibition: it is a place where photography becomes a tool to interpret the present. Reportage, documentary projects, visual research, and major commissions coexist every year around a strong curatorial theme. The festival has hosted some of the most important names in world photography and has helped launch young authors through awards, portfolio reviews, and residencies.
More than just exhibitions
Alongside the displays, the program offers a rich calendar of activities: workshops led by established photographers, talks and meetings with authors, portfolio reviews, book presentations, and educational projects like the OTM Academy. During the opening days, the festival's energy is palpable: industry professionals, gallery owners, publishers, and enthusiasts fill the squares and local spots of the village.
An experience that unites art and territory
Visiting Cortona On The Move also means discovering one of the most fascinating towns in Tuscany, amidst Etruscan art, Valdichiana cuisine, and postcard-perfect hilly landscapes. It is this combination of top-tier photography and a historic-landscape context that makes the festival a unique experience on the Italian and European cultural scene.
Cortona On The Move — edition 2026
The sixteenth edition of Cortona On The Move marks the beginning of a new chapter under the artistic direction of Renata Ferri. The chosen theme, "Beautiful Country", proposes a visual journey into the transformations of contemporary Italy: eroded landscapes, suburbs, borders, rituals, and urban and social changes told through the eyes of Italian and international authors.
The program features 34 exhibitions distributed between the historic center of Cortona, the hamlet of Camucia, and the Fortezza del Girifalco. At the heart of the project is Peninsula, an original commission created in partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo, Gallerie d'Italia, and Fondazione CR Firenze, which involves ten Italian photographers in a choral narrative of the national territory.
Programme Cortona On The Move 2026
2026 Theme — "Beautiful Country"
A visual atlas of contemporary Italy: communities, memory, environment, identity, and social transformations told through 34 exhibitions. Artistic direction by Renata Ferri.
Flagship project — Peninsula
Original commission produced with Intesa Sanpaolo, Gallerie d'Italia, and Fondazione CR Firenze, featuring ten Italian artists including Arianna Arcara, Fabio Barile, Matteo De Mayda, Giorgio Di Noto, and Giovanna Silva.
Exhibition highlights
- Joel Sternfeld — Campagna Romana, developed between 1989 and 1991 on the outskirts of Rome
- Candida Höfer — Perfetta bellezza, large Italian public spaces photographed between 2003 and 2012
- Steffi Reimers — Guilty Grounds, an investigation into the landscapes of Calabria marked by the 'Ndrangheta
- Projects by Antonio Biasiucci, Luca Campigotto, Sohei Nishino, Alys Tomlinson, Paolo Ventura, Andrea Modica, and other Italian and international authors
Training and workshops
- OTM Academy — second edition of the training program
- From July 24 to 26, La Velocità della Luce, an immersive workshop on light and portraiture with photographer Paolo Verzone, in collaboration with the Scuola della Luce
Opening hours
- Summer period: every day 10 AM - 8 PM (variations in September and October)
- Opening days with talks, portfolio reviews, and meetings with authors
Highlights Cortona On The Move 2026
Prices Cortona On The Move 2026
Practical information — Cortona On The Move
How to get there
By train: Camucia-Cortona or Terontola-Cortona stations, connected by bus to the historic center (Cortona is located at the top of the hill and is not directly accessible by train).
By car: A1 motorway exits Valdichiana or Monte San Savino; paid parking available at the edges of the historic center.
Tickets
Full price ticket 18€ (all exhibitions); reduced 15€ (students up to 26, over 65, groups, COTM members); Fortezza del Girifalco only 8€. Free admission for under 14s, people with disabilities, residents of the Municipality of Cortona, and accredited journalists. Online pre-sale on ticketone.it; ticket pickup at the COTM Store (Palazzo Baldelli, Vicolo Boni 7) or at the Fortezza del Girifalco.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes: the route winds through the slopes and alleys of the village. The ticket is valid for multiple days, ideal for visiting the numerous venues at a leisurely pace.
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Where does it take place — Cortona On The Move
Centro storico di Cortona, Fortezza del Girifalco e Camucia
Vicolo Boni 7, 52044 Cortona