The National Gallery is hosting “Giro d’Italia: A Brief History of Italy on Two Wheels,” an exhibition opening on May 5 at 5 p.m. at Kvadrat 500 in Sofia. The gallery will display the show until July 5.
This project is supported by the Embassy of Italy in Bulgaria and is a collaboration between the National Gallery and the Italian Cultural Institute in Sofia. The exhibition commemorates the 2026 edition of the Giro d’Italia, which is scheduled to begin in Nessebar on May 8 and conclude in Sofia on May 10. The display chronicles the evolution of the bicycle, tracing its development from a mode of transport and cultural emblem in the late 19th century to the modern era.
A specific focus is placed on the bicycle’s role within Italian society following World War II. Kvadrat 500 will feature contemporary works by Italian artists, including Dario Gibaudo, Francesca Pompei, Gaia Scaramella, Corrado Zeni, Marcovinicio, and Natino Chirico. Complementing these are cinematic footage from the Mimmo Cattarinich Foundation in Rome, vintage posters from the Collezione Salce Museum, and ethnographic photographs from the Palumbo Archive at the Sigismondo Castromediano Museum in Lecce.
Overall, the exhibition portrays Italy “on two wheels” as a representation of modernity, dynamism, and social recovery, positioning the bicycle as a symbol of both individual and communal advancement. The accompanying program includes various events organized by the Italian Embassy and partners. These events feature a photography exhibition titled “Tour around Siena,” a concert by the Maggiolini-Jurie duo in Plovdiv, and a lecture on cycling mobility in Italy.
Furthermore, a bicycle tour in Sofia involving members of the diplomatic corps is scheduled for May 9 to mark Europe Day.
Topics: #gallery #exhibition #giro
This exhibition sounds like a great way to combine Italian culture with cycling history.
What specific historical or cultural aspects of the Giro d’Italia will the exhibition cover?