The Carillon Collection of Enrico Salierno
2022-01-01 08:00 - 2028-12-31 17:00 UTC
The second floor of Villa Fiorentino houses a permanent exhibition of music boxes donated to the city of Sorrento by cabinetmaker Enrico Salierno.
The latter, a native of the historic center of Sorrento, found his fortune in America with the art of Sorrentine marquetry.
Between the 1960s and 1970s he opened a workshop in Los Angeles in which he devoted himself to the import and export of typical Sorrento artifacts (caskets, paintings, game tables etc.) on which various inlaid works were applied, the artistic and manual expression of the local craft tradition. Also included in the manufacturing process was the assembly of music boxes.
From year to year the cabinetmaker, in the company of his wife, would return here to Sorrento to reunite with his family and friends, but above all to prepare orders to be sent to his workshop in the US.
Having come to the end of his professional cycle, Enrico Salierno, as a sign of gratitude to his native land and its craftsmen, decided to donate to the city of Sorrento a part of his patrimony that best represented “his” world of origin: a very rare and valuable collection of music boxes, collected during his years of activity, mounted on fine furniture of both Sorrento and international origin.
Subsequent to Enrico’s death, thanks to the invaluable collaboration of his wife and fraternal friend Mario Cimmino, as well as the Sorrento Foundation and the Sorrento Inlay Craftsmen’s Union, it was possible to conclude all the complex bureaucratic and transportation procedures for the artifacts from Los Angeles to Sorrento.
All that was needed was a stable location where all these works could be kept on display: what better place than Villa Fiorentino?
The Sorrento Foundation, therefore, is proud to dedicate this entire space to the Salierno Collection on the second floor of the villa.
The room is entitled “Enrico Salierno, artisan of Sorrento”.

Part of the Salierno collection
Detail of the cylinder a music box
Detail of a music box mounted on a cabinet
Some of the music boxes donated by Enrico Salierno
Sorrentine Craft Tradition meets the art of music boxes

Access to the exhibition is included in the cost of the Villa Fiorentino ticket.

The Art of Sorrento Inlay: Permanent Exhibition at Villa Fiorentino
2022-01-01 08:00 - 2028-12-31 17:00
Inside Villa Fiorentino, the historic residence in the heart of Sorrento and home to the Fondazione Sorrento, visitors can enjoy a permanent exhibition dedicated to Sorrento wood inlay, one of the finest examples of Italian craftsmanship.
This permanent exhibition was created to promote and preserve this centuries-old artistic tradition, which made Sorrento famous worldwide for the skills of its woodworkers.
The project was strongly supported by President Gianluigi Aponte and Managing Director Mario Gargiulo, and realized in collaboration with the Sorrento Inlay Craftsmen Association, responsible for the setup.
“The Art of Sorrento Inlay” permanent exhibition guides visitors through the intricate process of inlay work, which involves combining thin veneers of wood in various colors with precious materials like mother-of-pearl, ivory, and metals.
Then, the result is a refined mosaic of wood, forming intricate images and elegant decorative patterns.
Sorrento’s inlay tradition flourished during the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during the Grand Tour era, when artists and intellectuals from all over Europe visited the Sorrento Peninsula.
The foundation of the School for the Inlay and Carving Industry in 1886 played a key role in consolidating this art on an international level.
The exhibition includes unique pieces such as furniture, boxes, panels, and decorative objects that testify to the beauty and precision of Sorrento’s inlay.
Today, although fewer artisans remain, they are focused on producing high-quality items that keep this remarkable tradition alive.
Useful Info
Location: Villa Fiorentino – Corso Italia, 53 – Sorrento (NA)Opening hours:
Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM;
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Info: +39 081 878 2284 – info@fondazionesorrento.com

Exhibition “Giuseppe Ercolano and the Masters of the Nativity” in Sorrento
2025-12-01 10:00 - 2026-01-18 20:00
Fondazione Sorrento presents the exhibition “Giuseppe Ercolano and the Masters of the Nativity”, hosted at Villa Fiorentino from 1 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Curated by artist Giuseppe Ercolano, the exhibition explores the deep connection between devotion, craftsmanship and contemporary artistic language. After its success on Lake Como, this project returns to Sorrento, birthplace of the nativity art tradition.
Masters of Nativity: Three Thematic Sections
With more than 250 handcrafted nativity figures, the exhibition is organised across the main floors of Villa Fiorentino:
Ground Floor – The 18th-Century Neapolitan Nativity
An immersive journey into the Baroque nativity scene of Naples, with detailed figures, symbolic settings and everyday life represented through art and devotion.
First Floor – Italian Nativity Traditions
Nativity scenes from various Italian regions and artistic interpretations inspired by literature, including The Betrothed and Pinocchio, showcasing how the Nativity theme changes across cultures.
Basement – The Charm of Paper Nativity Scenes
A collection of 19th- and 20th-century paper cribs, vintage lithographs and a life-size painted nativity scene, accompanied by an educational video.
Dates and Opening Hours of the Exhibition

Venue: Villa Fiorentino – Sorrento

Dates: 1 December 2025 – 18 January 2026

Opening hours:

Monday–Friday: 10:00–13:00 / 16:00–19:00

Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: open until 20:00

24 & 31 December: morning only

25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026: open from 17:00

FAQ – Domande frequenti
When can the exhibition be visited?From 1 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Where is it held?At Villa Fiorentino, Fondazione Sorrento.
How much does entry to the exhibition cost?The exhibition will have free entry.
Is it suitable for families?Absolutely – it is an educational and cultural experience for all ages.

Surriento Gentile: Christmas 2025 review in Sorrento
2025-12-05 08:00 - 2025-12-30 17:00
Sorrento is preparing to experience a Christmas inspired by the values ​​that have always distinguished it: hospitality, culture, beauty and kindness with “Surriento Gentile“; the Christmas festival which from 5 to 30 December 2025 will transform the city into a large widespread stage, animated by shows, music, theatre, exhibitions, meetings and special initiatives dedicated to both tradition and contemporaneity.
The event, artistically directed by Marisa Laurito, is promoted by the Sorrento Foundation, in synergy with Federalberghi Sorrento Peninsula, Confcommercio Sorrento, Sorrento Peninsula Travel Agents Association and Sorrento Restaurateurs Association. A shared project that enhances the cultural identity of the city and strengthens collaboration between public and private for a high-level tourist offer.
A celebration of kindness and culture
“Surriento Gentile” takes its name from the famous verse of the song “Serenata a Surriento”, and aims to propose an artistic journey capable of describing the city through one of its deepest values: kindness. Over the course of the month, Sorrento will host meetings dedicated to the theme, theatrical shows and performative actions in the streets of the centre, with the aim of bringing the value of human relationships back to the centre.
As underlined by the artistic director Marisa Laurito, the exhibition aims to invite citizens and visitors to rediscover the importance of small gestures that can generate harmony, beauty and a sense of community.
Big names on the Italian and international art scene
The 2025 program confirms Sorrento as a cultural reference point in the winter period. Among the guests:

Noa, with Gil Dor and the Solis String Quartet
Alexander Romanovsky, world famous pianist
The Voices of Victory, prestigious gospel choir directed by Nicole Ingram Taylor
Tullio De Piscopo, with a concert dedicated to the colors of music
Raiz, protagonist of the great closing concert
Lorenzo Hengeller, between jazz, classical song and theatre
Marco Zurzolo and the Street Jazz Band
Giovanni Block
The actresses Fiorenza Calogero, Antonella Stefanucci, Rosaria De Cicco, Annamaria Colasanto, Francesca Colapietro
Maestro Masiello’s valets and Aurora Giglio’s training.

A rich and varied offer, capable of embracing different genres: classical music, jazz, Neapolitan tradition, traveling shows, cultural meetings and entertainment screenings.
Exhibitions, itinerant itineraries and initiatives for families
The calendar also includes numerous moments dedicated to art and creativity, including:

“Dance Notes” exhibition by Alessandro Vasapolli
Exhibition “Beyond the Gesture” by Morris Spagnol
“Once upon a time” route, a narrative journey between churches and historic buildings
Animated screenings, such as “Totò Sapore” and “Mary and the Midnight Spirit”
Performance “Dreaming of snow” with Marco Palmieri and the bagpipe players

Furthermore, the section dedicated to the nativity scene tradition is particularly significant:

Exhibition “Giuseppe Ercolano and the masters of the nativity scene – 25 years of art and tradition”, hosted at Villa Fiorentino from 1 December to 18 January
“Araprit’ ‘e purtune… ‘ncè stà ‘o Presepio”, a journey through the historic center with living scenes from the eighteenth-century nativity scene
Two events that celebrate the culture of the nativity scene and its legacy in the Sorrento Peninsula.

A program born from collaboration
The “Surriento Gentile” project represents the synthesis of a strong territorial synergy. As underlined by the presidents of the promoting associations, the collaboration between public and private entities allows the city to offer a quality Christmas program, capable of enhancing traditions, hospitality and cultural heritage.
Fondazione Sorrento confirms, once again, its central role in the cultural promotion of the city, supporting events and initiatives that contribute to tourism development and the diffusion of culture as a community tool.
