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 of contemporary jewels: "Codice RJW Memoria Futura"
2026-03-21 08:00 - 2026-05-03 17:00
From 21 March to 3 May 2026, Villa Fiorentino hosts the exhibition “Codice RJW / Memoria Futura”, dedicated to contemporary jewelery and the five years of the Rome Jewelry Week.
The exhibition project represents a true manifesto of contemporary jewellery, which today goes beyond its simple ornamental function to become an artistic language, a tool for reflection and a means of creative research.
Mostra Codice RJW / Memoria Futura
Curated by architect Monica Cecchini and organized by the InCinque Open Art Monti Cultural Association, the exhibition retraces the five editions of the Rome Jewelry Week from 2021 to 2025.
The exhibition itinerary develops like a living archive in which the jewel becomes, from time to time:

object of connection between artists and the public
travel notebook and personal memory
ethical terrain of experimentation
an exercise in baroque virtuosity
symbol of light and spiritual reflection

Il Codice RJW: an international network
Collaborations and social projects
The exhibition also highlights the network dimension of Rome Jewelry Week, represented by the RJW Code, a shared language that has generated collaborations between artists, designers and master goldsmiths.
Among the most significant initiatives that emerged during the editions is the Jewels for Freedom project, dedicated to women and the valorization of jewelery as a tool of expression and social commitment.
Towards Rome Jewelry Week 2026
Jewelry as a story of Italian culture
The exhibition also looks to the future: during the exhibition the theme of Rome Jewelry Week 2026 will be presented, dedicated to jewelery as a narrative of the history of Italian art and culture of the last eighty years.
The title of the next edition will be “The crown of ingenuity”, an invitation to interpret the jewel as a creative symbol capable of narrating the cultural and artistic heritage of the country.
Information about the exhibition
Dates, times and entry
Dates: March 21 – May 3, 2026
Location: Villa Fiorentino
Hours: 10:00 – 13:00 / 16:00 – 19:00
Entrance: €5

Photographic exhibition by Oreste Pipolo
2026-03-21 08:00 - 2026-05-03 17:00
From March 21st to May 3rd, Villa Fiorentino hosts a photographic exhibition dedicated to Oreste Pipolo, one of the most important Italian photographers of the second half of the twentieth century and an iconic figure of Neapolitan photography.
Through a selection of images that have made his work famous, the exhibition tells the world of Neapolitan weddings, popular traditions and the most authentic moments of daily life in Naples, transformed by Pipolo’s lens into intense visual stories full of humanity.
Photographic exhibition by Oreste Pipolo
Pipolo’s photography has become famous for its ability to document the Neapolitan wedding ritual with irony, empathy and spontaneity. His images capture collective gestures, emotions and rituals, providing an authentic cross-section of Neapolitan society and culture.
His work has gone beyond the boundaries of ceremonial photography, transforming itself into a true anthropological and social story, capable of restoring the lively and theatrical character of the city.
A photographer who has become a symbol of Naples
Oreste Pipolo’s work has gained international notoriety also thanks to the documentary The Neapolitan Wedding, which told the general public about his activity and the world of Neapolitan weddings.
The exhibition therefore represents an opportunity to rediscover the gaze of an author who was able to transform moments of everyday life into images capable of telling the cultural identity of a territory.
Where and when to visit the exhibition
Location: Villa Fiorentino
Opening hours: 10:00 – 13:00 / 16:00 – 19:00
Cost: €5

O’ Sole Mio – Opera and Neapolitan Tradition in Villa Fiorentino
2026-04-15 21:00 - 2026-10-28 21:00
The Elegance of Opera meets the charm of Neapolitan Music, giving life to a unique concert with a dreamlike atmosphere.
This is “O’ Sole Mio“, where the famous opera arias and the most famous Neapolitan songs come together in a perfect union, enhanced by the elegance of the prestigious rooms of Villa Fiorentino, in Sorrento.
The concert, organized by Opera in Roma, includes the presence of Soprano and Tenor, accompanied by Mandolin and Piano alone.
The artists will perform a musical repertoire celebrating Neapolitan and operatic music: from Traviata, to Tosca and Rigoletto, passing through Funiculì Funiculà, Torna a Surriento and O’ Sole Mio.
Soprano, Elena Memoli
Tenor, Marco Ferrante
Mandolin, Carmela Persico
Piano, Antonino De Rosa
Artistic Director, Ivan Iannone
Let yourself be enchanted by the dream atmosphere offered by one of the most enchanting places in Sorrento, among the notes of the Neapolitan Song and the Opera!

Info and Costs:

Period: from 15 April to 28 October 2026
Time: 9.00pm
Full ticket: €55.00
Reduced ticket: €50.00 (Reserved for: Groups of at least 8 people | Minors between the ages of 8 and 17 | Military personnel | Students under 26)

Turning to the Light: the international exhibition at Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento
2026-05-15 08:00 - 2026-06-16 17:00
From 15 May to 14 June 2026, the spaces of Villa Fiorentino will host Turning to the Light, an international collective exhibition included in the Sorrento Contemporary Art format.
The exhibition brings together artists from different cultural contexts, giving life to an artistic journey focused on the theme of light as an expressive, symbolic and narrative element, capable of guiding the viewer in an immersive experience between works, installations and performative moments.
An international exhibition of contemporary art and experimentation
“Turning to the Light” was born from a shared research between international artists, united by the use of light as a founding element of their artistic language.
The title itself recalls a dynamic gesture: turning towards the light, an action that implies movement, research and transformation. In this context, light becomes not only a visual element, but also a symbol of orientation, identity and connection.
The project develops within a global dimension, in which art responds to a contemporary condition often characterized by uncertainty and change, proposing new possible directions.
The dialogue with Paul Klee
An important reference of the exhibition is the work of Paul Klee, in particular the work Hauptweg und Nebenwege.
The artists involved are inspired by the visual and conceptual rhythm of the work, suggesting an idea of ​​a path made up of main and secondary roads, a metaphor for the choices and possibilities that art is able to indicate.
This dialogue with the history of art enriches the project, creating a bridge between the past and the contemporary
The light as an artistic language
The central element of the exhibition is light, understood as a truly autonomous artistic medium.
During the twentieth century, light took on an increasingly important role in contemporary art, becoming a tool for experimentation and research. In “Turning to the Light”, it takes on multiple forms:

light installations
site-specific works
performative interventions
direct interactions with the public

Each artist interprets light in a personal way, helping to create a dynamic and continually transforming exhibition itinerary.
An immersive experience at Villa Fiorentino
The exhibition takes place in the rooms of Villa Fiorentino, one of the most important cultural locations in Sorrento.
Located in the heart of the historic center, a few steps from Piazza Tasso, the villa becomes an integral part of the exhibition project.
The works are designed to dialogue with the environments of the structure, transforming the spaces through site-specific interventions and creating a direct relationship between art, architecture and visitor.
Information about the exhibition

Title: Turning to the Light
Date: 15 maggio – 14 giugno 2026
Location: Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento
Ticket: €5, free entry for residents

FAQ: Turning to the Light Sorrento 2026

When does the Turning to the Light exhibition take place in Sorrento?
From May 15th to June 14th 2026.
Where is the exhibition held?
The exhibition takes place at Villa Fiorentino, in the center of Sorrento.
What kind of exhibition is Turning to the Light?
It is an international collective exhibition of contemporary art focused on the theme of light.
What is the main theme of the exhibition?
Light as an artistic, symbolic and narrative element, interpreted by various contemporary artists.
Is the exhibition suitable for tourists?
Yes, it is a cultural event open to all, ideal for those visiting Sorrento in the spring.

Roberto Colella: Showcase in Sorrento
2026-05-30 18:30 - 21:30
The solo debut of the former frontman of La Maschera and Neapolitan singer-songwriter Roberto Colella will be the protagonist of a showcase in Sorrento in Villa Fiorentino, Saturday 30 May. A highly anticipated event that enriches the city’s cultural calendar and confirms Sorrento’s role as a point of reference for music and live events in the Sorrento Peninsula.
The live event is part of the artistic programming of the Sorrento Foundation, bringing one of the most representative artists of the new Neapolitan music scene to the stage.
Roberto Colella: showcase in Sorrento
Former frontman of La Maschera and solo artist, Roberto Colella is known for an intense and recognizable style, which combines popular sounds, profound lyrics and a strong territorial identity. His songs describe Naples and Southern Italy with a poetic and social perspective, managing to involve a transversal audience.
the show in Sorrento will be a unique opportunity to listen to his most loved songs live and live an authentic musical experience, in an evocative context like that of Villa Fiorentino.
Showcase at Villa Fiorentino: info and access
The narrative heart of the album lies in the concept of rebirth, Colella explores the metamorphosis of the spirit: from individual solitude to the collective solitude of a people, from the passion that consumes to that which awakens new visions. The album unfolds between delicate ballads and energetic songs, offering a plurality of universal sounds and atmospheres.
​The meeting will be moderated by Mariella Nica and Franco Maresca of Progetti D’autore, who will dialogue with the artist to delve deeper into the genesis of the songs and the profound meaning of this solo chapter.
Main information:
• Date: May 30, 2026, 7:00 pm
• Location: Villa Fiorentino, Sorrento
• Free admission
• Moderators: Mariella Nica and Franco Maresca (Author’s Projects)
Contacts and Info: 328 200 51 69

Eduardo De Felice presents his new album at Villa Fiorentino
2026-06-06 19:00 - 22:00
On Saturday, June 6th 2026 at 7:00 PM, Villa Fiorentino will host a free showcase by Italian singer-songwriter Eduardo De Felice for the presentation of his new album “In ogni giorno vissuto”, released on April 17th 2026 by Suono Libero Music.
The event, open to the public while seats last, will combine live music, storytelling and listening sessions in the elegant setting of Villa Fiorentino in the heart of Sorrento.
A journey through twenty years of songwriting
“In ogni giorno vissuto” is the result of over twenty years of songwriting and musical research.
The album features nine tracks blending melodic intensity, intimate atmospheres and strong narrative songwriting, inspired by the great Italian singer-songwriter tradition of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Musical references include artists such as:

Lucio Battisti
Lucio Dalla
Enzo Carella

The album was released by Suono Libero Music.
Live showcase and special guests
During the evening, Eduardo De Felice will alternate live performances with stories and guided listening moments focused on the album’s artistic journey.
The event will be moderated by journalist Sara Grillo, with contributions from:

Nando Misuraca
Alfonso Paesano

The showcase will also highlight the importance of vinyl as the album’s main physical format, emphasizing its warm and immersive sound identity.
