Borghi in Festa

A dive into the 1950s in Capo di Leuca

Every summer, the small village of Barbarano del Capo, a district of the municipality of Morciano di Leuca in the province of Lecce, stands still in time. With Borghi in Festa — also known to locals as Il Borgo in Festa — the historic center, made of courtyards, alleys, and ancient Lecce stone dwellings, dresses up in the atmosphere of the 1950s. For a few summer evenings, the village streets are filled with scenes of daily life from the past, in an immersive journey designed to let visitors relive the magic of a bygone era.

Ancient crafts and traditions

The heart of the event lies in the re-enactments of old crafts and the gestures of Salento's peasant civilization. Walking among the houses, you will encounter wool mending, legume threshing, children playing barefoot in the street with hoops, and corners set up like homes of the past. It is a true open-air, participatory museum, brought to life by the villagers themselves as they step into their grandparents' shoes.

Pizzica music and the flavors of Salento

The soundtrack of the festival is, naturally, the pizzica, the folk music that marks every night in Salento: on the ajara (traditional stage) set up in the square, people dance until late at night to the rhythm of tambourines and guitars. There is no shortage of food stalls featuring traditional local products: handmade pasta, the essential fried pittule, wine, and grilled meat, for an experience that engages all the senses.

Barbarano del Capo, village of the Leuca Piccola

The setting could not be more evocative. Barbarano del Capo is famous for the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Leuca del Belvedere, known as Leuca Piccola, built in 1685 as a stopover for pilgrims heading to Santa Maria di Leuca, and for its characteristic vore, the karst sinkholes that dot the landscape. Located at the extreme edge of Salento, in the Capo di Leuca area of Puglia, the village offers visitors the chance to discover an authentic and still little-known corner of the peninsula.

A community festival

Borghi in Festa is promoted by the San Lorenzo Martire Parish of Barbarano del Capo with the support of the Municipality of Morciano di Leuca and the participation of the entire village community. More than just a tourist event, it is a moment of identity that keeps the memory and roots of this land in southern Salento alive.