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

O’ Sole Mio - Opera & Neapolitan Music Concert in Villa Fiorentino , Sorrento
2025-04-23 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-04-27 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-04-30 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-05-04 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-05-07 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-05-11 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-05-14 21:01 - 22:30, 2025-05-18 21:01 - 22:30 and 18 more dates | Fondazione Sorrento, Sorrento, Italy
‘O Sole Mio – Opera and Neapolitan Music Concert in Sorrento

The elegance of Opera meets the timeless charm of Neapolitan music in a truly unique and dreamlike concert experience.
Welcome to “‘O Sole Mio“, where the most beloved opera arias and iconic Neapolitan songs blend in perfect harmony, enhanced by the refined ambiance of Villa Fiorentino in the heart of Sorrento.
Curated by ‘Opera in Roma’, this exclusive concert features a Soprano and Tenor, accompanied solely by mandolin and piano, creating an intimate and captivating sound.
The evening’s program celebrates the finest in Neapolitan and operatic tradition, with masterpieces ranging from La Traviata, Tosca, and Rigoletto to timeless classics like Funiculì Funiculà, Torna a Surriento, and of course, ‘O Sole Mio.
Performing Artists:
Soprano: Elena Memoli
Tenor: Marco Ferrante
Mandolin: Carmela Persico
Piano: Antonino De Rosa
Art Director: Ivan Iannone
Let yourself be enchanted by the magical atmosphere of Villa Fiorentino, one of Sorrento’s most charming venues, as the spirit of Neapolitan Song and Italian Opera comes to life under the stars.
Event Info & Ticket Details
Every Wednesday and Sunday at 9:00 PM
From April 23 to October 12, 2025
Villa Fiorentino, Corso Italia 53 – 80067 – Sorrento (NA)
Full Ticket: €45.00
Reduced Ticket: €40.00 (Available for groups of 8 or more, and for minors aged 8–17, students under 26, military)
Book your seat now and experience the magic of Neapolitan music and Italian opera in the heart of Sorrento!

At Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento, from June 7 to 29, 2025: “In Praise of Madness” – A Solo Exhibition by Domenico Balestrieri
2025-06-07 - 2025-06-29
From Saturday, June 7 through Sunday, June 29, 2025, the halls of Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento will host the art exhibition “In Praise of Madness”, a solo show by Domenico Balestrieri.
Domenico “Mimmo” Balestrieri, a contemporary artist already known in Sorrento for previous exhibitions, is based in Gragnano (Naples). His style is defined by vibrant colors and a highly textured, material-driven painting technique.
FREE ENTRY

Opening Hours:Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM – 7:00 PMSaturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Joan Mirò's exhibition "L'Incanto dei Segni" in Sorrento
2025-07-13 10:00 - 2025-10-12 22:00 | Villa Fiorentino, Corso Italia, 51, Sorrento, 80067, Italy
Discover the Joan Mirò’s Exhibition in Sorrento from 13 July to 12 October in Villa Fiorentino. Sorrento will be the setting for the exhibition “The Enchantment of Signs“, a journey into the fascinating and colorful world of Joan Mirò.
Joan Mirò: “L’incanto dei Segni”
The Mirò’s Exhibition in Sorrento offers a selection of works on paper that tell the story of Mirò’s artistic evolution, including engravings, lithographs and experiments. On display, works such as Les pénalités de l’enfer ou Les nouvelles-hébrides, Lapidari, Ubu Roi and Peintures sur cartons.
There is no shortage of works with a more poetic and playful tone, including Le Lézard aux plumes d’or, Le Marteau sans maître and Quelques Fleurs pour des amis, which reveal the most intimate side of the artist.
A unique exhibition in Sorrento
This exhibition represents a special opportunity to admire up close the graphic art of one of the great masters of the twentieth century. An event not to be missed, promoted by the Sorrento Foundation to enhance culture in the city.
