Obiettivo Murlo

Obiettivo Murlo, a photographic gaze on the Sienese lands

Obiettivo Murlo is one of the most popular photography competitions in the Sienese hills, organized by the Pro Loco of Murlo APS – Photography Section (FIAF #2500) in the small town of Murlo, in the Province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany. The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers, whether FIAF members or not, residing in Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City, and is held under the patronage of the Italian Federation of Photographic Associations (FIAF), valid for national statistics.

A four-year journey through the four elements

Since 2023, the competition has adopted an original structure: a four-year cycle dedicated to the “four elements”, linking the mandatory theme of the competition sections from one edition to the next. The common thread has unfolded through Water (2023, 17th edition), Earth (2024, 18th edition), and Fire (2025, 19th edition), leading to Air with the 20th edition in 2026, which ideally closes the cycle. Through this thematic choice, the organizers also aim to raise public awareness about respect for the environment and the planet.

Competition sections

The call for entries typically includes several sections that allow participants to test themselves in different registers:

• Section A – Mandatory theme: the element of the year (black and white and/or color);
• Section B – Open theme: maximum expressive freedom;
• Section C – Portfolio: an organic series of images;
• Section D – Local: dedicated to the territory of Murlo and its landscapes, reserved for residents of the municipality and free to enter.

Awards ceremony and exhibition at the Castle of Murlo

The final event takes place at the Castle of Murlo, with the awards ceremony and the screening of the accepted works. Prizes include vouchers for photographic equipment, FIAF diplomas and medals, selections of local products, and stays in the area, highlighting the close bond between photography and the hospitality of this corner of Tuscany. The winning and accepted images are published on the official website and collected in a catalog.

Murlo, Etruscan village and Orange Flag

Murlo is a village of great charm: its historic center, gathered around the Castle and the Antiquarium of Poggio Civitate, preserves a significant Etruscan heritage, while the entire municipal territory – with the main town of Vescovado di Murlo – has been awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club for its tourism and environmental quality. Visiting Obiettivo Murlo therefore means combining a passion for photography with the discovery of a Tuscan landscape made of woods, clay hills, and ancient stones.