Over 100 works on display at the Rocca Maggiore, between provocation and hope
For the first time, Assisi is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to Banksy, the enigmatic artist who has become a global icon of contemporary street art. Titled Peace on Earth, the event brings over 100 original artworks to the Rocca Maggiore, transforming the heart of Saint Francis’s city into a meeting place for art, spirituality, and civic engagement. Promoted by the Municipality of Assisi and produced by Opera Laboratori, the exhibition is curated by Stefano Antonelli and Gianluca Marziani, under the patronage of the Umbria Region. This is an internationally significant initiative, blending Banksy’s provocative and radical message with the values of peace, brotherhood, and dialogue embodied by the Franciscan tradition. A powerful and unprecedented combination that makes Assisi an ideal setting for an exhibition destined to leave a lasting mark.
The event intertwines the artist’s radical message with the Franciscan tradition’s values of peace and brotherhood
The title is inspired by one of Banksy’s most emblematic works: the sentence Peace on Earth, which appeared near the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem, followed by the biting disclaimer Terms and conditions apply. A sentence that perfectly encapsulates Banksy's sharp and ironic style—challenging certainties and hypocrisies through images of strong symbolic impact. The exhibition unfolds as a journey through the British artist’s most recurring themes: peace, war, childhood, the environment, and freedom of expression. The symbol of the event is the famous dove wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying an olive branch in its beak. A poetic yet unsettling image, it becomes a metaphor for a peace that is constantly under threat that requires both protection and awareness. The figure of the bird, traditionally an emblem of harmony, is here confronted with the harsh realities of conflict and fear, offering a powerful point for reflection. The choice of the Rocca Maggiore as the venue is no coincidence: the imposing medieval fortress overlooking Assisi and the Umbrian valley becomes an integral part of the exhibition, merging with the installations and amplifying their meaning. The historic halls host screen prints, stencils, photographs and multimedia materials, offering an immersive and engaging experience for all audiences.
A journey through themes such as peace, war, the environment, and childhood
With Peace on Earth, Assisi reaffirms itself as a crossroads of cultures, faiths, and consciences, embracing the language of urban art as a tool for dialogue and transformation. In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and social inequalities, Banksy—despite remaining anonymous—continues to speak to the world with clarity and urgency. Born in city alleyways and on conflict-zone walls, these works become universal messages, combining provocation with hope, criticism and vision.
Assisi thus reclaims its role as a city of peace, welcoming the bold and irreverent voice of an artist who, with irony and courage, urges us to look beyond appearances and question the future we wish to create. A must-see event for those who believe that art can still change the world.
With Peace on Earth, Assisi reaffirms its role as a crossroads of cultures, faiths, and consciences
Banksy
Peace on Earth
Assisi
Rocca Maggiore
Curated by
Stefano Antonelli
Gianluca Marziani
Until 02/11
