Luglio Pontormese

A summer festival in the heart of a walled village

Luglio Pontormese is the annual summer event that transforms the Giardino dentro le Mura in Pontorme—the historic fortified village of Empoli—into an open-air stage. Throughout July, these ancient walls host live music, shows, and theatrical performances, creating an intimate atmosphere that is among the most charming in the Empoli area.

The festival is promoted by the Borgo Pontormese association in collaboration with the Municipality of Empoli. It is part of the broader city program "Uno spettacolo d'estate," which brings cultural events to the various villages and districts of the municipality, from the city center to Monterappoli, Cortenuova, Cascine, and, of course, Pontorme.

Pontorme, the village of Pontormo

Pontorme is one of Empoli's most distinctive districts, enclosed within its medieval walls and linked to the memory of the great Mannerist painter Jacopo Carucci, known as il Pontormo, who was born here in the early 16th century. The Giardino dentro le Mura, along Via Giro delle Mura Nord, provides a unique setting for evening performances, where history and culture meet under the summer sky.

Music, theatre, and entertainment

The program alternates between musical evenings, theatre, and live performances, designed for a wide audience and families. The village festival evenings are complemented by events curated by Giallo Mare Minimal Teatro, an Empoli-based theatre company that manages part of the city's summer schedule, bringing variety and comedy shows within the walls of Pontorme.

• Open-air live music evenings
• Theatrical shows and performances
• Events for families and all ages
• Free admission to most events

Part of "Uno spettacolo d'estate"

Luglio Pontormese is not an isolated event: it is part of the rich summer calendar of the Municipality of Empoli, which hosts festivals, feasts, and cultural events throughout the warmer months across the city center and the villages of the Empoli area. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Empoli, far from the main tourist flows, while experiencing the village atmosphere of summer evenings.