ViviFortezza

ViviFortezza, the summer that lights up Siena

Every summer, the Fortezza Medicea in Siena, an ancient stronghold commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in the heart of the Tuscan city, transforms into a grand open-air stage. ViviFortezza is the widespread festival that brings its ramparts to life with an overwhelming mix of live music, comedy, theater, storytelling, street food, and social gatherings, spread across the Bastione San Domenico, Piazza della Libertà, and the Viale Superiore. It is the event that, in the organizers' words, ignites the city's nights, proving that there is truly a lot to experience in Siena during the summer.

A festival born in the heart of Siena

ViviFortezza was born in 2025 from the vision of the Propositivo Association (Pro+), in collaboration with the Municipality of Siena. In a very short time, it has become the main summer hub for Siena, capable of bringing together major pop and singer-songwriter concerts, stand-up and cabaret shows, cultural deep-dives, and a rich street food offering with the Siena Mangiami format. The formula combines ticketed events featuring big names with many free moments designed for families, young people, and the curious.

From the spring opening weekend to the summer of big names

The season kicks off with a spring opening weekend around the May Day celebrations, featuring free admission: concerts, DJ sets, street food, swing dance lessons, chess, ping pong, a circus school, and children's activities. The season then hits its stride in July and August with the main ticketed show series, bringing some of the most beloved names in Italian music and entertainment to the Fortress.

The Fortezza Medicea as a natural theater

The setting is one of the iconic landmarks of Siena, the capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany: the massive red brick walls of the Fortress, the panoramic ramparts, and the large open spaces create a unique atmosphere for enjoying concerts and shows under the stars, just a stone's throw from the UNESCO World Heritage historic center. An experience that weaves together entertainment and local identity in a city that, for the rest of the year, revolves primarily around the tradition of the Palio.

Who is it for?

ViviFortezza is designed for a broad and diverse audience: those looking for big concerts, comedy and theater lovers, families with children, young people, and tourists spending their summer in Siena. The combination of free and ticketed events, music and gastronomy, entertainment and social life makes it the go-to appointment for summer evenings at the foot of the Fortress walls.