Residence
Relais La Rupe · Sorrento
ExtrArtis Residence:
Relais La Rupe
Relais La Rupe, located in the eighteenth-century villa of the same name, has been selected as an Artist Residence for its unique architectural and landscape quality standards.
The residence, overlooking the Vallone dei Mulini, has been a centre of transnational cultural mobility, welcoming throughout its history men of letters, artists and scholars of European importance. The rootedness of the villa in the local material culture and the social and artistic context produced in it throughout its history have outlined an artistic perspective aimed at enhancing the link between the sedimented identities of a still little-known cultural heritage and European artists.
Video
Inside the residence
The 5th Edition Call is aimed at emerging artists willing to travel for an artist residency at Relais La Rupe, Sorrento, Italy, from November 30 to December 9, 2026, during Art Days – Napoli Campania. The story will continue with talented artists who aspire to mark the European common cultural identity.
History
Two centuries of European encounters
Early 19th century
Relais La Rupe is the residence of Clemente and Enrico Falcon, deputy engineers in charge of building Europe’s first railway line (Naples-Portici).
1857
The intense relationships between the Falcons and European scholars, artists and politicians make the Villa a prestigious hospitality venue in European tourist guides.
1868
The structure becomes a real Hotel.
Today
Known as Relais La Rupe, it hosts the ExtrArtis Artists Residence, in 2026 for its 5th Edition.
The park
A garden of European gifts
The scenic beauty of the Relais La Rupe site reflects the cultural value preserved within the park surrounding the residence. The park contains a number of gifts from illustrious European figures.
Gift
Wrought iron gate and bench
Given by Thomas Aquinas, Prince of Caramanico.
Gift
Cedar tree from Lebanon
Given by Sir Francis Neville Reid, owner of Villa Rufolo.
Guests
Rooms that shaped European cultural identity
Over the years, the rooms of Relais La Rupe have been home to some of the most significant figures in European cultural identity.
Clemente and Enrico Falcon, engineers
Jaccarino, entrepreneur
Salvador, pioneer
Sir Francis Neville Reid, artist and patron
Prince Thomas d’Aquino
Don Antonio Annuvola, architect
and many others
Editions
Past residences
The story will continue.
Applications for the 5th Edition are open until November 8, 2026. Send your artistic proposal by email to info@extrartis.com.
Call for Artists