Monsaraz Biennial Opens with “The Sky Begins on the Ground” Theme

The 26th edition of the Monsaraz Museu Aberto Biennial began on 11 July 2026 and will run until 19 July. Under the motto “O céu começa no chão” (The sky begins on the ground), the opening featured exhibitions at the Museu do Fresco, the Igreja de Santiago and the Convento da Orada, pairing contemporary artworks with the village’s historic heritage. Marta Prates, president of the Reguengos de Monsaraz municipality, said the theme highlights the link between local identity and future possibilities.

New organisational roles were introduced, including a cultural programmer and a dedicated curator, to give the event a more professional character. The programme spans nine days and includes concerts (Switchdance, Edmundo Inácio), performances (Garcia da Selva), theatre, circus, outdoor cinema, workshops and guided walks that extend beyond the medieval walls to sites such as Telheiro, the Praia Fluvial and the Olival da Pega. Traffic within the walled area will be restricted from 17:00 to 01:00 each night, with a free shuttle service operating between Reguengos de Monsaraz and Monsaraz.

The municipality announced that preparation for the next edition, scheduled for 2028, will begin as soon as the 2026 Biennial concludes, marking a shift toward continuous planning for the cultural project.