Reiseführer Lecce und Salento: Reiseführer Lecce und Salento, Italien - Nozio 0%

Lecce Events, Italien

All year long, but especially from June to September, Salento hosts literally hundreds of folklore events: religious feasts, linked to the celebration of the patron saint, or various festivals centered around the most typical local product. Nozio has selected the festivals and events you must not miss.

Festa di Sant'Oronzo, in Lecce

From August 24 to the 26 are celebrated the feasts in honor of the patron of Lecce, Sant'Oronzo. After the somber procession in honor of Sant'Oronzo, the feasts continue with the historic costumed cavalcade and the fair rich in local products.

Lu Riu, in Lecce

On the Tuesday after Easter the citizens of Lecce turn out in the Park of Rauccio, at the entrance of the city, to spend a happy day exploring traditions. There are performances in medieval costume and an exhibit is held of the ancient master crafts that have disappeared.

The Nights of Taranta

This series of appointments called "La Notte della Taranta" takes place in August in the municipalities of Salentine Grecìa. Here, in the music and revolving dances, thousands of people gather to dance to the spinning rhythm of the "pizzica," very ancient music that some compare to the ancient Dionysian rites of the Greeks. The final night, and the most famous, is in Melpignano.

San Rocco Festival, in Torrepaduli

This festival is famous for the characteristic Danza delle Spade (dance of swords). This dance is performed all night between August 15 and 16; in it men imitate the ancient duels that once took place in the markets.

Festival of the Holy Martyrs, in Otranto, 14-15-16 August

The festival recalls the massacre perpetrated by the Turks in 1480 when 800 citizens were decapitated for not being willing to renounce their Christian faith. Otranto decorated with luminaries throughout the streets of the town, creating a magical effect, and numerous booths are prepared to host locals and tourists.

If you are looking for a village festival with a gastronomic theme, you will have an embarrassment of choices. In the Salento, especially in the summer period, there is no town that does not host at least one: the theme revolves around some representative specialties of the place, and of course the traditional music and dance of Salento: the pizzica.