The Biennial of the Strait

Reggio di Calabria · Reggio di Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

18 September 2026 – 13 December 2026

From 18 September to 13 December 2026, the Biennial of the Strait returns: a cultural project dedicated to the transformations of cities, architecture and landscapes in the Mediterranean. The third edition will take place at various venues between Reggio Calabria and Messina, using the Strait as a unique vantage point from which to interpret the present and imagine new possibilities for the future. Two cities overlooking the same sea become the starting point for a wide-ranging reflection on the relationships between territories, communities, cultures and landscapes.

A biennial spanning the Strait

From 18 September to 13 December 2026, the Biennale dello Stretto returns for its third edition, a cultural project that uses the Strait of Messina as a vantage point on the transformation of cities, architecture and landscapes across the Mediterranean. For almost three months the event runs across Reggio Calabria and Messina, two cities facing each other from opposite shores of the same sea, becoming the starting point for a shared reflection on territories, communities and cultures in dialogue.

The 2026 theme: "Mutazioni" (Mutations)

The thread running through this edition is "Mutazioni" (Mutations), a word borrowed from biology and freed of its genetic meaning to become a lens on urban and social change. The Biennale explores the idea of evolutionary misalignment: not every territory changes at the same pace or in the same way, and from that awareness comes a journey observing ongoing transformations, the fractures they can create, and the new possibilities for connection they open up, looking at Calabria, Sicily and the Mediterranean as spaces in dialogue with its European, African and Middle Eastern shores.

Conception and scientific direction

The Biennale was conceived by architect Alfonso Femia and is promoted by the Fondazione Le città del futuro, under the patronage of Italy's Ministry of Culture. Scientific direction is shared by Femia together with Annalisa Metta and Salima Naji, while the curatorial team expands to eight curators for the scientific-design strand and four dedicated to art, photography and design sessions: a collective effort bringing together architecture, urban planning, art and social research.

Venues between Reggio Calabria and Messina

The programme unfolds across a scattered geography touching symbolic sites in both cities: in Reggio Calabria, Forte Batteria Siacci, the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia and Villa Genoese Zerbi; across the water, the University of Messina and the Fondazione Messina, with Forte Petrazza. Historic spaces, cultural institutions and university venues are put into relation with one another, turning the ideas of border and crossing into concrete tools for reading the present.

Visiting the Biennale from Reggio Calabria

With a programme running for almost three months, the Biennale lends itself to several visits rather than a single stop: travellers staying along the Costa Viola or in the Piana di Gioia Tauro can reach Reggio Calabria and, by ferry, Messina, pairing the exhibitions with a walk along the Falcomatà seafront or a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. To plan a stay, the portal lists holiday rentals in Calabria and local businesses and services.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2026 Biennale dello Stretto take place?

From 18 September to 13 December 2026, across Reggio Calabria and Messina.

What is this edition's theme?

"Mutazioni" (Mutations): a reflection on the transformation of cities, architecture and landscapes across the Mediterranean.

Who conceived the Biennale?

Architect Alfonso Femia, who also leads its scientific direction alongside Annalisa Metta and Salima Naji, with the Fondazione Le città del futuro and under the patronage of Italy's Ministry of Culture.

Where do the events take place?

Across venues in Reggio Calabria (Forte Batteria Siacci, the National Archaeological Museum, Villa Genoese Zerbi) and in Messina (University of Messina, Fondazione Messina - Forte Petrazza).

Do I need to book in advance?

Detailed opening hours and access arrangements for each venue are published by the organisers: it's worth checking the Biennale's official channels before visiting.

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