Pietra Sublime International Monumental Sculpture Symposium

An open-air monumental sculpture symposium

The "Pietra Sublime" International Monumental Sculpture Symposium is one of the most unique artistic events in Tuscany. It takes place in Cavriglia, a municipality in the Province of Arezzo, within the multi-purpose area of Bellosguardo, along the pedestrian and cycling paths just a stone's throw from Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni. Here, for about two weeks, sculptors from all over the world work stone in the open air, under the eyes of visitors, transforming raw blocks into monumental works destined to remain in the area forever.

Art that becomes memory

"Pietra Sublime" is not just an art event; it is a major project of civic memory. The works created in the various editions are dedicated to commemorating the Nazi-Fascist massacres of July 4-11, 1944, which struck Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni, Meleto Valdarno, and Le Matole di Massa, claiming 192 civilian lives. Once completed, the sculptures are permanently placed in the villages of the municipality, gradually forming one of the most important open-air sculpture parks in Italy.

Sculptors from all over the world

Each edition brings together international artists selected for their talent in stone carving. Over the years, the symposium has hosted sculptors from Italy, Armenia, Poland, China, Iran, France, Slovenia, Ukraine, India, Georgia, Chile, Germany, and South Korea, creating a dialogue of cultures and plastic languages that makes Cavriglia a meeting point for global art. The public can follow the various stages of work live, from the rough-hewing of the block to the final finishing of the piece.

Bellosguardo, a natural stage

The choice of the Bellosguardo circuit is no coincidence: it is a green space immersed in the hilly landscape of the Valdarno, easily accessible and suitable for welcoming the public in a relaxed and familiar setting. Its proximity to Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni, a symbolic site of the massacre, strengthens the bond between art and local history.

An event for everyone

Access to the symposium is free, and the event is designed to be enjoyed by families, art lovers, students, and curious visitors. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Cavriglia, concludes with an inauguration ceremony for the works—a moment of celebration and reflection that seals the work of the previous weeks and permanently enriches the community's artistic and civic heritage.