Fuori le Mura

Fuori le Mura: when Agropoli opens its historic spaces

Fuori le Mura is the summer festival of theatre, music, and live performance that brings life to the iconic landmarks of Agropoli, a town in the province of Salerno overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and serving as the gateway to the Cilento region. The project originated from the local Cantiere MATI theatre workshop under the artistic direction of Antonio Speranza, and is based on a simple premise: taking performances out of traditional theatres and into the open spaces that tell the city's story.

The moat of the Castello Angioino Aragonese

For the 2026 edition, the main stage is the moat of the Castello Angioino Aragonese, the fortress that dominates the historic centre of Agropoli from the top of the promontory. It is an intimate, open-air space with the castle walls serving as a natural backdrop: a setting that fosters proximity between artists and the audience, particularly well-suited for spoken-word performances and small-scale concerts. In previous seasons, the festival has also utilised the Arena del Mare at the port and the narrow alleys of the old town, confirming its itinerant nature across the city's most symbolic locations.

The 2026 programme

Three events concentrated in July, all with free admission:

• 10 July — Salotto Paolantoni, with Francesco Paolantoni and Arduino Speranza: an interactive theatrical format featuring fairy tales, stories, sketches, and improvisation.
• 19 July — Una lunga storia d'amore, a journey through jazz and singer-songwriter classics dedicated to Gino Paoli, Ornella Vanoni, and the great Italian songwriters, featuring Agostino Chiummariello, Jerry Popolo, Melissa Di Matteo, and Antonio Speranza.
• 25 July — Tommaso Primo in concert, blending contemporary Neapolitan song with original songwriting.

A festival that has grown year after year

In 2025, Fuori le Mura reached its fourth edition, with a week of programming from 16 to 22 August: concerts and theatre at the Arena del Mare, followed by a historical re-enactment in the old town dedicated to the visit of Alfonso of Aragon to the castle. The format alternates between well-known television and theatre personalities, singer-songwriter music, and projects that celebrate local history, always with the support of the City of Agropoli.

Part of the Vivi Agropoli programme

Fuori le Mura is part of Vivi Agropoli, the municipal summer programme that distributes events across the castle moat, the Arena del Mare, the Akropolis Music Arena in Piazza Professor Paolo Serra, and Punta Fortino. Mayor Roberto Mutalipassi and Councillor for Tourism Roberto Apicella have stated that the festival's goal is to combine quality entertainment with the promotion of local heritage: a choice that explains why performances are held within the ancient walls rather than in a conventional venue.

Agropoli and the Cilento region

Agropoli is one of the most convenient bases for visiting the Cilento region: the historic centre with its grand staircase and 17th-century entrance gate, the beaches of Trentova and the Baia, and, a short distance away, the archaeological site of Paestum and the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Attending a performance in the castle moat, with the sea behind you and the coastline stretching towards Punta Licosa, is the most direct way to understand why summer in Campania is best experienced outdoors.

Admission and information

All festival events offer free admission, subject to availability. Start times are scheduled between 21:00 and 21:15: it is advisable to arrive early, as the moat has limited capacity and bookings are not accepted. The updated programme is published on the Vivi Agropoli tourism portal and the municipality's social media channels.