The Sand Dunes of Ispica – Insabbiata di Ispica

From 15 to 19 July 2026, the historic centre of Ispica, in the province of Ragusa, will host the 11th edition of Insabbiata (The Sand Dunes of Ispica), one of Sicily’s most evocative and original artistic events, which transforms the town into an extraordinary open-air art gallery.

For five days, the picturesque Piazza Sant’Antonio Abate – dominated by the 16th-century church of the same name and famous for having been one of the filming locations for the Taviani brothers’ film *Kaos* – is covered with a vast artistic carpet created entirely from coloured sand. This monumental work takes shape thanks to the talent and creativity of the young people from the Insabbiata Cultural Association, the driving force behind a project that has been promoting the local area through ephemeral art for over ten years.

The spectacular compositions, created with patience and precision, interact with the square’s Baroque architecture, giving rise to an artistic journey that delights visitors, photographers and enthusiasts alike. Each edition features new themes and interpretations, transforming the sand into an expressive medium of great visual impact.

L’Insabbiata is much more than just an art exhibition: it represents an important opportunity for collective participation, involving volunteers, artists and local residents in the creation of a work of art destined to exist for just a few days, making each edition unique and unrepeatable.

As you stroll through the streets of the village, you’ll be able to admire the artists’ work up close, discover one of the most charming historic centres in the Val di Noto and enjoy an experience that combines creativity, tradition and the celebration of Sicily’s cultural heritage.

L’Insabbiata di Ispica thus reaffirms its status as one of the most eagerly awaited events of the Sicilian summer, capable of transforming sand into a collective work of extraordinary beauty and of conveying, through art, the identity of an entire region.