Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition
Gorizia, Italy · Classical guitar competition
Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition takes place in Gorizia, Italy. It is held every year, usually in May.
- Location
- Gorizia, Italy
- Type
- Competition
- Most recent edition
- 15 May 2026 – 17 May 2026
- Next edition
- Usually each May — dates to be announced
- Frequency
- annual
- Eligibility / age
- Category I: soloists born from 2015 onwards; Category II: soloists born from 2012 onwards; Category III: soloists born from 2009 onwards; Category IV: soloists born from 2006 onwards; Category V: average age of ensemble members must be 19 years or less; Category VI: no age limit; Category VII: no age limit.
- Entry fee
- Categories I to IV: € 45.00; Category V: € 35.00 per member - € 230.00 for ensembles of 7 or more elements; Category VI: € 55.00; Category VII: € 55.00 per member - € 330.00 for ensembles of 6 or more elements.
- Prizes
- 1stCategory I: Gold medal and diploma, didactic prize · Silver medal and diploma, didactic prize · Bronze medal and diploma, didactic prize
- 1stCategory II: Gold medal and diploma, didactic prize · Silver medal and diploma, didactic prize · Bronze medal and diploma, didactic prize
- 1stCategory III: Gold medal and diploma, didactic prize · Silver medal and diploma, didactic prize · Bronze medal and diploma, didactic prize
- 1stCategory IV: € 500, a concert at “Mercatali” Festival 2027, cup and diploma, Altamira guitar · € 300, didactic prize, cup and diploma · € 200, didactic prize, cup and diploma
- 1stCategory V: € 300, cup, diploma and medal to each competitor · € 200, cup, diploma and medal to each competitor · € 100, cup, diploma and medal to each competitor
- Category VI: € 3.000, Altamira concert guitar, cup, diploma, four concerts (International Classical Guitar Festival “Mercatali 2027, Gorizia
- Glasbena šola Ajdovščina, Slovenia, 2027
- Musica a quattro stelle, Grado (GO) September 2026
- 1stConcert and jury of the “Valle-Bale” International Competition, Croatia, July 2026), DotGuitar Prize (Album distributed in international online music stores) · € 1.500, cup and diploma · € 800, cup and diploma · € 500, cup and diploma · € 300, cup and diploma.
- Special prizes
- Special prize for the absolute first in Category I: € 100, cup, diploma and an Altamira guitar
- Youngest competitor award in Category I: plaque and didactic prize
- Special prize for the absolute first in Category II: € 200, cup, diploma and an Altamira guitar
- Special prize for the absolute first in Category III: € 300, cup, diploma and an Altamira guitar
- Audience Award in Category IV: plaque and € 100
- Audience Award in Category VI: € 200
Repertoire requirements
Category I: free program, maximum 5 minutes. Category II: free program, maximum 8 minutes. Category III: free program, maximum 12 minutes. Category IV: Eliminatory round: free program, maximum 10 minutes. Final round: free program (excluding pieces performed in the first round), maximum 15 minutes. Category V: free program, maximum 12 minutes. Category VI: Eliminatory round: free program, maximum 15 minutes. Final round: free program (excluding pieces performed in the eliminatory round), maximum 20 minutes. Category VII: free program, maximum 20 minutes. For all categories, performances can be from memory or by reading the score.
Official website
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Check your repertoire matchVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Gorizia
Gorizia, a charming small city in Italy's north-east Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, hosts the Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition. This annual event takes place right on the border with Slovenia, offering a unique setting where Italian and Slovenian cultures meet. The competition draws talented guitarists to a region rich in history and scenic beauty.
Getting there
The closest airport is Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia. From there, take Coach 51 and then Coach 1 (operated by TPL FVG) to reach Gorizia. Alternatively, take a train from Trieste Airport railway station to Monfalcone or Udine and change. Gorizia is well-connected by rail, with regular trains from Venice and Udine taking around two hours, and from Trieste in about 45 minutes. InterCity Night trains also arrive from Rome once a day. If arriving from Slovenia, trains will stop at Nova Gorica train station, just ten meters from the international border. From there, a short walk across the square into Italy and a ten-minute ride on the number 1 bus will take you to Gorizia's center or train station; bus tickets cost €1.35.
Compare trains, buses & flights to Gorizia on Omio →
Italy uses Type L/F sockets, so pack a travel adapter for your tuner and chargers.
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Where to stay
As a relatively small and walkable city, Gorizia is easy to settle into for a few days around the competition. Basing yourself in the city center ensures convenient access to the concert venues and historical sites. While Gorizia is considered the more beautiful of the two cities, it can be quiet, especially in the afternoons and on weekends. Just across the border, Nova Gorica offers a livelier atmosphere, though the city itself is not as picturesque. No specific hotel recommendations are provided in sources, but booking ahead is advisable, particularly during event dates.
What you'll hear
The Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition brings together classical guitarists from around the world each year. While specific repertoire details or past winners are not listed in the available information, the competition provides an excellent opportunity to experience high-level performances in a historic Italian setting, showcasing both emerging talent and established artists within the classical guitar community.
Although no specific classical guitar composers are historically tied to Gorizia, the city's rich past as a center of the County of Gorizia and later a Habsburg cultural hub fostered a vibrant artistic environment. The Baroque churches and palaces, with their splendid stucco decorations and canvases from the Venetian school of painting, speak to a long tradition of patronage and artistic expression. Attending the competition here allows one to appreciate the contemporary classical guitar against a backdrop of centuries of European art and culture.
The local table
As a city in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Gorizia offers the culinary traditions of northern Italy, often with influences from its proximity to Slovenia and Austria. The local cuisine emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients, but specific dishes are not named in sources. Visitors can expect a range of Italian staples, including pasta, risottos, and regional variations of cured meats and cheeses. Seek out local trattorias for authentic flavors and a taste of the regional produce.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Gorizia →
While you're there
Gorizia itself offers a wealth of historical sites to explore. The Castle, built within medieval walls, once served as the seat of administrative power and now houses a Museum of the Goritian Middle Ages. The rebuilt Baroque Cathedral and the impressive Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, built by the Jesuits, showcase the city's rich architectural heritage. The Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, which includes an art gallery, and the historic Palazzo Attems Petzenstein are also worth a visit. Take time to walk to the Transalpina railway square, uniquely divided by the international border, symbolizing the city's dual identity.
A must-do is crossing the international border into Nova Gorica, Slovenia, a mere ten meters from the train station. While Gorizia is often considered the more picturesque city, Nova Gorica offers a livelier atmosphere, with casinos and access to stunning surrounding countryside, hills, and rivers, making for a pleasant change of pace. For those wishing to explore further, Trieste, with its grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and sea views, is an easy 45-minute train ride away, and Venice is also reachable by train in about two hours, offering a wider range of cultural excursions.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Gorizia →
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More guitar events in Italy: Concorso Città di Fiuggi · Concorso Emilio Pujol · Concorso Fernando Sor · Concorso Internazionale Rovere d'Oro · Concorso Riviera Etrusca · Concorso Ruggero Chiesa
Also in May: Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) · Heinsberg Guitar Festival and Competition · Jugend musiziert · Printemps de la Guitare · San-in Guitar Competition
Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.