What to expect
Ragusa Foto Festival 2027 – Italy is first Sicilian international manifestation dedicated to contemporary photography, active since 2012. Attentive to Sicilian territory and issues affecting Mediterranean Sea, festival has served as collaborative platform bringing together artists, critics and emerging photographers to explore local heritage, foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and create opportunities for reflection.
The charming village of Ragusa Ibla, baroque jewel and UNESCO heritage site, is ideal setting to host festival. City-wide photography festival turns historic palaces, deconsecrated churches and gardens into exhibition venues, with program including exhibitions, workshops, portfolio reviews and artist residencies.
Visitors can expect month-long program of contemporary photography with theme exploring Mediterranean archetypes, relations and local identity. Since 2012, festival explores what kind of relationships photography is able to establish, using photography to uncover shared patterns, gestures and landscapes that bind communities together across South of Italy and broader Mediterranean.
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Event dates
Official Dates: August – September 2027 (Dates TBD)
Schedule Framework: Festival traditionally takes place over one month from late July or late August to late August or late September, with previous editions from 20 July – 27 August, 27 August – 27 September and similar month-long windows. Program includes opening weekend with inauguration at Palazzo La Rocca, exhibitions open daily, portfolio reviews at Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, workshops and closing events. Complete program published on official website https://www.ragusafotofestival.com/
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Venue & exhibition site
Main Location – Ragusa Ibla: Ragusa Ibla, UNESCO-listed setting of Ragusa, baroque jewel hosting festival across historic centre. Venues include Palazzo La Rocca in via Capitano Bocchieri, Palazzo Cosentini, Palazzo Garofalo, Palazzo La Rocca baroque halls, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, Santo Lio, IBLA Cultural Center and other palaces.
Churches and Sacred Spaces: Deconsecrated churches turned into exhibition venues including St Vincent Ferreri Church for screenings, Capuchin Convent in Ragusa Ibla, and other churches hosting tribute events and installations.
Gardens and Outdoor: Giardini Iblei gardens, Sala Multimediale – Antico Convento, and outdoor spaces hosting open-air exhibitions and installations. City-wide festival turning gardens into exhibition venues.
Multimedia Spaces: Sala Multimediale – Antico Convento, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei entrance for portfolio readings, and other multimedia spaces for screenings such as Quiet and chalk – travelling with Dondero documentary.
City-Wide Circuit: Festival circuit OFF includes territories photography exhibitions implemented by Foundation of Order of Architects of Ragusa, plus exhibitions across Ragusa Ibla historic centre.
Full exhibition programme
Thematic Exhibitions: Each edition explores theme such as Mediterranean Archetypes Archetipi Mediterranei, Relations, Taking a Break, Mediterranean Archetypes uncovering shared patterns gestures and landscapes binding communities. Previous themes included fifteen exhibitions by authors of stature of Ferdinando Scianna and Antonio Biasiucci.
Artist Residency: Artist Residency program such as Mario Cresci spending entire month in Ragusa studying prints and maps of Sicily collected in Zipelli Collection of Cesare and Doris Zipelli Foundation of Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa, giving rise to exhibition Limen soglia di at Palazzo Garofalo.
Young Photographers Contest: Young Photographers from Italian Academies YPIACALL contest produced by Ragusa Foto Festival, with collective exhibition dedicated to first four classified of twelve winning photographic projects, prize of five hundred euros established at initiative of Salvatore, fifty four young authors from sixteen institutions.
Portfolio Reviews: Letture portfolio readings taking place in Ragusa Ibla at entrance to Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, with curators, gallerists and critics reviewing emerging photographers work.
Workshops: Workshops with Angelo Raffaele Turetta and other photographers, focusing on contemporary photography techniques, visual storytelling and territorial exploration.
Screenings and Tributes: Tribute to Mario Dondero one of most interesting man of contemporary photojournalism with screening of documentary Quiet and chalk – travelling with Dondero by Marco Cruciani at St Vincent Ferreri Church.
Group Shows: Group shows such as Icebergs by Nuno Serrão, BLANK by Therese Debono and other international photographers part of OFF circuit.
Featured artists & designers
International Masters: Featured artists include Massimo Vitali, Evangelia Kranioti, Mous Lamrabat, Ferdinando Scianna, Antonio Biasiucci with Mimmo Paladino reinterpreting ancient game of tombola, Mario Cresci Ligurian photographer, Nuno Serrão with Icebergs project, Therese Debono MCAST Senior Lecturer with BLANK project, Mari Katayama, David Chancellor with Handle Like Eggs and others.
Artistic Direction: Founded and directed by Stefania Paxhia, with Alessandra Mauro as artistic director, Plenum Gallery director serving as Director of Ragusa Foto Festival in 2024 and 2025, and team including Nello Scavo Social Media Manager, Benedetta Donato, Anna De Francesco Comunicazione.
Emerging Photographers: Young photographers from Italian Academies contest showcasing fifty four young authors from sixteen institutions representing entire country, plus international emerging photographers from OFF circuit.
Residency Artists: Mario Cresci protagonist of Artist Residency, spending month studying Zipelli Collection prints and maps, creating new work for festival.
Documentary Filmmakers: Marco Cruciani documentary filmmaker with Quiet and chalk film, plus other filmmakers screening works.
Curators and Critics: Curators such as Alessandra Mauro, critics and gallerists participating in portfolio reviews and discussions.
Galleries & exhibitors
Historic Palaces: Palaces acting as galleries include Palazzo La Rocca, Palazzo Cosentini, Palazzo Garofalo, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, Capuchin Convent and other baroque halls.
Institutional Partners: Partners include MiC Ministry of Culture, Caritas Italiana, Libero Consorzio Comunale di Ragusa, Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto, Camera di Commercio, Fondazione Cesare and Doris Zipelli of Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa, MCAST Malta College, Collezione Donata Pizzi ETS and others.
International Festivals: Collaborations with other photography festivals such as Grenze Verona, Backlight Photo Festival Tampere, Kranj Foto Fest and others.
Academies: Italian Academies of Fine Arts including Academy of Fine Arts of Catania and sixteen institutions participating in Young Photographers contest.
Local Organizations: Foundation of Order of Architects of Ragusa implementing Circuit OFF photography of territories, plus local cultural associations.
Photographic Studios: International photographic studios and agencies showcasing work of represented artists.
Exhibition halls & sections
Baroque Halls Section: Sale barocche di Palazzo La Rocca and other baroque halls hosting main exhibitions, with historic architecture providing atmospheric backdrop.
Churches Section: Deconsecrated churches including St Vincent Ferreri Church, Capuchin Convent and others hosting screenings, tributes and installations.
Gardens Section: Giardini Iblei and Antico Convento gardens hosting outdoor exhibitions and multimedia installations.
Multimedia Section: Sala Multimediale Antico Convento for screenings, documentary presentations and multimedia works.
Young Photographers Section: Section dedicated to Young Photographers from Italian Academies at Palazzo La Rocca in via Capitano Bocchieri, showcasing twelve winning projects.
OFF Circuit Section: Circuit OFF spreading across city with group shows, Icebergs exhibition, BLANK and other international projects, plus territorial photography.
Residency Section: Section dedicated to Artist Residency results such as Limen exhibition at Palazzo Garofalo, showcasing new work created during residency month.
Talks, workshops & special events
Portfolio Reviews: Letture portfolio readings at Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei entrance, with curators and gallerists reviewing emerging photographers, taking place in Ragusa Ibla.
Workshops: Workshop with Angelo Raffaele Turetta and other professionals, focusing on contemporary photography, visual storytelling and territorial issues affecting Mediterranean Sea.
Tribute Screenings: Tribute to Mario Dondero with screening of documentary Quiet and chalk – travelling with Dondero by Marco Cruciani at St Vincent Ferreri Church, remembering affectionate supporter of festival.
Artist Talks: Talks with featured artists such as Mario Cresci discussing Zipelli Collection research, Ferdinando Scianna, Antonio Biasiucci and others.
Opening Events: Inauguration at Palazzo La Rocca with announcements of twelve finalists of Young Photographers contest, plus opening of fifteen exhibitions.
Cultural Activities: Program of additional activities at festival 2021 collaborated with Collezione Donata Pizzi ETS, sponsored by MiC, Caritas Italiana and other partners, including educational activities.
Community Dialogue: Cross-disciplinary dialogue exploring local heritage, fostering reflection and new horizons where one can lose oneself, with diversity of gazes of authors on display.
Ticket types
Free Exhibitions: Many exhibitions in historic palaces, churches and gardens are free access, with festival serving as collaborative platform open to public.
Portfolio Review Fees: Portfolio readings may require registration fee for photographers submitting work, with previous fees around EUR 30 to EUR 50 approximately USD 32 to USD 54 for review sessions.
Workshop Fees: Workshops with professionals such as Angelo Raffaele Turetta may require fee, previously around EUR 80 to EUR 150 approximately USD 86 to USD 162.
Young Photographers Contest: Participation in YPIACALL contest free for students from Italian Academies, with prize of five hundred euros approximately USD 540.
Donations: Support for festival via donations to association organizing festival.
Pricing in USD – Based on Previous Editions: General admission to exhibitions USD 0 free for most venues. Some special exhibitions may have nominal fee USD 5 to USD 11. Portfolio reviews USD 32 to USD 54. Workshops USD 86 to USD 162. All prices converted from euros. Most events free to encourage community participation.
VIP & collector access
Portfolio Review Priority: Photographers gaining priority access to curators and gallerists during portfolio readings, with opportunity to meet artistic director Alessandra Mauro and founder Stefania Paxhia.
Artist Residency Access: Special access to artist residency process, including studio visits with Mario Cresci and other residency artists studying Zipelli Collection.
Opening Invitations: Invitations to inauguration at Palazzo La Rocca and other palaces for collectors, critics, partners and sponsors including Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa foundation.
Curator-Led Tours: Private tours led by curators of baroque halls and exhibitions, providing deeper insight into Mediterranean archetypes theme.
Collectors Preview: Collectors of contemporary photography gaining early access to limited edition prints and works by featured artists such as Massimo Vitali and others.
Institutional Access: Access to Zipelli Collection of prints and maps of Sicily at Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa foundation for researchers and special guests.
Event rules
Respect Heritage: Venues are UNESCO heritage baroque palaces, deconsecrated churches and historic gardens, so respect heritage, no touching photographs, no flash photography where prohibited.
Free Access Policy: Most exhibitions free, but respect opening hours and capacity limits in small baroque halls and churches.
Portfolio Review Etiquette: For portfolio readings, bring printed portfolio and be punctual for assigned slot at Antico Convento entrance.
Photography: Personal photography of exhibitions allowed for social sharing with credit to festival and photographers, but professional photography and reproduction of exhibited works not allowed without permission.
Children: Children welcome in most venues, with supervision required in historic buildings and churches.
Pets: Pets generally not allowed in historic palaces and churches, except service animals.
Sustainability: Festival attentive to Sicilian territory and issues affecting Mediterranean Sea, encouraging sustainable practices and respect for local environment.
How to get there
Location: Ragusa Ibla, historic centre of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. Main venues include Palazzo La Rocca via Capitano Bocchieri, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, Palazzo Cosentini and other palaces in Ibla.
By Air: Catania Fontanarossa Airport CTA closest major airport, with bus connections to Ragusa via AST or Interbus, approximately two and half hours. Comiso Airport CIY closer but fewer flights.
By Train: Ragusa railway station with connections from Syracuse and Gela, then bus or taxi to Ragusa Ibla.
By Car: Driving to Ragusa possible, with roads from Catania, Syracuse and other Sicilian cities. Parking in Ragusa Ibla limited due to narrow baroque streets, use parking at Giardini Iblei or outside Ibla and walk.
By Bus: AST and Interbus buses connect Catania airport and other cities to Ragusa, with stop near Ragusa Ibla.
On Foot: Ragusa Ibla is walkable, with venues within short walking distance in historic centre, though some hills.
By Boat: For Mediterranean travelers, ferries to Pozzallo from Malta then bus to Ragusa.
Public transport & parking
Local Buses: Local buses in Ragusa connect Ragusa Superiore new town with Ragusa Ibla historic centre, with frequent service during festival.
Parking: Parking in Ragusa Ibla limited, with spaces at Giardini Iblei entrance, near Antico Convento and outside historic walls. Use parking in Ragusa Superiore and walk down or take local bus to Ibla.
Taxi: Taxis available from Ragusa station and airport, with fixed rates to Ibla.
Walking: Best way to explore festival circuit OFF and baroque halls, with city-wide photography festival turning historic palaces into walkable exhibition route.
Shuttle: Festival may provide shuttle between venues such as Palazzo La Rocca, Palazzo Cosentini and Capuchin Convent during opening days.
Bike: Bike sharing limited in hilly Ibla, but walking preferred.
Accommodation areas
Ragusa Ibla – Closest to Venues: Hotels and B&Bs in Ragusa Ibla baroque centre offer walking distance to all festival venues including Palazzo La Rocca and Antico Convento, prices previously USD 70 to USD 180 per night for boutique stays in baroque buildings.
Ragusa Superiore – Modern Town: Hotels in upper town with easier parking and bus connections to Ibla, prices previously USD 60 to USD 140 per night.
Countryside – Val di Noto: Agriturismi and countryside hotels in Val di Noto area offering rural experience with car needed to reach Ibla, prices previously USD 80 to USD 200 per night.
Coastal – Marina di Ragusa: Beach hotels in Marina di Ragusa, coastal area, with bus to Ragusa, offering beach plus festival combination, prices previously USD 70 to USD 160 per night.
Budget Options: Hostels and budget B&Bs in Ragusa offer dorm beds from USD 20 to USD 40 and private rooms from USD 50 to USD 90.
Luxury: Luxury boutique hotels in restored baroque palaces in Ibla offer high-end stays, previously USD 180 to USD 400 per night.
Food & refreshments
Ragusano Cuisine: Ragusa famous for Ragusano cheese, scacce, ravioli and DOCG Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine, with vineyard tastings available in region dotting farms and vineyards.
Ibla Restaurants: Restaurants in Ragusa Ibla near Palazzo La Rocca offer traditional Sicilian cuisine, meals previously USD 15 to USD 35 per person.
Cafes: Cafes near Giardini Iblei and Antico Convento offer coffee, cannoli and light meals, previously USD 4 to USD 10.
Street Food: Arancini, scacce and other Sicilian street foods available for quick breaks between exhibitions, previously USD 3 to USD 7.
Fine Dining: Upscale restaurants in restored baroque palaces offer gourmet Sicilian dining, previously USD 40 to USD 80 per person.
Festival Catering: Opening events often include catering with local products and wine from Val di Noto foundation supporters.
Accessibility
Historic Venues: Baroque halls of Palazzo La Rocca and other palaces have limited accessibility due to steps and historic preservation, with some venues having uneven floors and narrow doorways.
Modern Access: Some venues such as Sala Multimediale Antico Convento have more accessible entrances, with ground floor access.
Public Transport Accessibility: Local buses offer low-floor access, but hilly terrain of Ibla challenging for mobility devices.
Ibla Terrain: Ragusa Ibla has cobblestone streets, steep hills and steps between levels, challenging for wheelchairs.
Information: For specific accessibility needs, contact organizers via info@ragusafotofestival.com or official website for information on accessible routes.
Inclusive Program: Festival aims to be collaborative platform open to all, with free exhibitions encouraging wide participation.
Must-see exhibitions
Mediterranean Archetypes Main Show: Main exhibition exploring Mediterranean Archetypes using photography to uncover shared patterns gestures and landscapes binding communities across South of Italy and broader Mediterranean, featuring artists such as Massimo Vitali, Evangelia Kranioti and Mous Lamrabat.
Limen by Mario Cresci: Residency exhibition at Palazzo Garofalo showcasing work created during month-long residency studying prints and maps of Sicily in Zipelli Collection, examining limen threshold concept.
Young Photographers from Italian Academies: Collective exhibition at Palazzo La Rocca dedicated to first four classified of twelve winning photographic projects from YPIACALL contest, showcasing fifty four young authors from sixteen institutions.
Tribute to Mario Dondero: Screening and exhibition remembering Mario Dondero one of most interesting man of contemporary photojournalism, with documentary Quiet and chalk.
Icebergs and BLANK Group Shows: Group shows such as Icebergs drift away with photographer Nuno Serrão and BLANK by Therese Debono presenting projects from OFF circuit.
Baroque Halls Photography: Exhibitions in sale barocche di Palazzo La Rocca and other baroque halls turning historic palaces into photography galleries.
Previous year’s highlights
14th Edition Mediterranean Archetypes: 14th edition exploring theme Mediterranean Archetypes using photography to uncover shared patterns gestures and landscapes binding communities together across South of Italy and broader Mediterranean, with exhibitions in UNESCO-listed setting of Ragusa Ibla.
Artist Residency Success: Artist Residency with Mario Cresci spending entire month in Ragusa studying Zipelli Collection, giving rise to exhibition Limen soglia di at Palazzo Garofalo, plus other residency projects.
Young Photographers Growth: Young Photographers contest with fifty four young authors from sixteen institutions representing entire Italy, with collective exhibition at Palazzo La Rocca and prize of five hundred euros, plus portfolio reviews with curators and gallerists at Antico Convento.
International Recognition: Festival recognized as first Sicilian international manifestation dedicated to contemporary photography, attracting artists such as Massimo Vitali, Evangelia Kranioti, Mous Lamrabat and others, with city-wide festival turning historic palaces deconsecrated churches and gardens into exhibition venues.
Community Impact: Since 2012 serving as collaborative platform bringing together artists critics and emerging photographers to explore local heritage foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, with tributes, screenings and free exhibitions encouraging community participation and reflection on issues affecting Mediterranean Sea.
Official tickets
Official Website: https://www.ragusafotofestival.com/
Contact: Email info@ragusafotofestival.com, Instagram @ragusa_fotofestival, Sala Multimediale Antico Convento.
Tickets: Most exhibitions free access in baroque halls, churches and gardens. Portfolio reviews may require registration fee around USD 32 to USD 54. Workshops around USD 86 to USD 162. Young Photographers contest free for academy students with prize USD 540.
Program: Complete program with festival, letture portfolio, lettori and other sections available on official website, with fifteen exhibitions by authors of stature and various projects.
Location: Ragusa Ibla, UNESCO heritage site, with venues at Palazzo La Rocca via Capitano Bocchieri, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, Palazzo Cosentini and other historic buildings.
Supporters: Supported by MiC, Caritas Italiana, Libero Consorzio Comunale di Ragusa, Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto, Camera di Commercio, Fondazione Cesare and Doris Zipelli and other partners.
Location
FAQ
Do I need tickets and where do portfolio reviews take place?
Most exhibitions in baroque halls, deconsecrated churches and gardens are free access, as festival serves as collaborative platform open to public and attentive to Sicilian territory. Portfolio readings take place in Ragusa Ibla at entrance to Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, with curators and gallerists reviewing work, and may require registration fee for photographers submitting work. Young Photographers contest at Palazzo La Rocca is free for students from Italian Academies with prize of five hundred euros.
What kind of photography will I see and what is theme?
You will see contemporary photography exploring themes such as Mediterranean Archetypes uncovering shared patterns gestures and landscapes binding communities across South of Italy and broader Mediterranean, plus Relations and Taking a Break themes. Exhibitions include works by international masters such as Massimo Vitali, Evangelia Kranioti, Mous Lamrabat, Ferdinando Scianna and emerging photographers, plus residency results like Mario Cresci Limen exhibition at Palazzo Garofalo studying Zipelli Collection prints and maps of Sicily.
Where exactly does festival take place and how do I navigate venues?
Festival takes place city-wide in Ragusa Ibla, UNESCO-listed baroque jewel, turning historic palaces such as Palazzo La Rocca in via Capitano Bocchieri, Palazzo Cosentini, Palazzo Garofalo, Antico Convento ai Giardini Iblei, Capuchin Convent and deconsecrated churches like St Vincent Ferreri into exhibition venues. Venues are within walkable distance in Ibla historic centre, though hilly with cobblestones, with local buses connecting Ragusa Superiore and Ibla and parking at Giardini Iblei entrance recommended.
Who organizes festival and what is its history?
Festival is first Sicilian international manifestation dedicated to contemporary photography, active since 2012, founded and directed by Stefania Paxhia with Alessandra Mauro as artistic director and Plenum Gallery director serving as Director in recent editions. It has served as collaborative platform bringing together artists, critics and emerging photographers to explore local heritage and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, with support from MiC, Caritas Italiana, Libero Consorzio Comunale di Ragusa and Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto.
Is festival suitable for emerging photographers and what opportunities exist?
Yes, festival offers significant opportunities for emerging photographers through Young Photographers from Italian Academies YPIACALL contest with fifty four young authors from sixteen institutions and prize, plus portfolio reviews at Antico Convento entrance with curators and gallerists. Workshops with professionals like Angelo Raffaele Turetta, OFF circuit group shows and artist residency programs provide learning and exposure. Many exhibitions free and open to public encourage community participation and reflection on issues affecting Mediterranean Sea.
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