The race for the Italian Capital of Culture 2029 title has officially entered its evaluation phase following the September 23 deadline set by the Ministry of Culture. Among the 17 municipalities and unions that submitted their dossiers, the unified proposal of Lake Garda stands out, presented with the Municipality of Bardolino acting as the lead entity.
A Unified Dossier: 37 Municipalities and Three Regions
The Lake Garda candidacy unites 37 lakeside and inland municipalities across three distinct regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige. This project aims to overcome traditional administrative fragmentation, transforming the area’s international tourist appeal into a structured platform for permanent cultural cooperation.
The comprehensive document involves over 160 institutional partners, including universities, protection consortia for local products, and major regional foundations. Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of the Vittoriale degli Italiani, serves as an official ambassador for the project.
The Competition: Valle Camonica and Cremona
The ministerial jury will now conduct a comparative review. Lake Garda faces strong regional competition from the Valle Camonica Mountain Community and the city of Cremona.
Valle Camonica’s bid, supported by 40 municipalities, centers on the theme “10,000 years of future,” celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its rock art being recognized as Italy’s first UNESCO site in 1979. Meanwhile, Cremona highlights its heritage in violin making—an intangible cultural heritage of humanity—and its historical musical tradition linked to Claudio Monteverdi and Antonio Stradivari.
The Selection Timeline
The Ministry of Culture has established a precise schedule. By December 16, 2026, a jury of seven experts will announce the ten finalist cities. Public hearings will occur by March 10, 2027, with the final winner proclaimed later that month, receiving a one-million-euro state grant to implement their 2029 events.
