Candelora Fair

The Candelora Fair of Martano

The Candelora Fair is one of the most deeply rooted events in the Salento calendar. It takes place in Martano, a town in the province of Lecce (Puglia), around February 2nd, the day the Church celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Purification of Mary: the Candelora (Candlemas) feast, which owes its name to the blessing of the candles. For three days, the historic center fills with stalls, animals, flavors, and music, in a blend of devotion, commerce, and celebration that has been passed down for generations.

A tradition of Grecìa Salentina

Martano is considered the "capital" of Grecìa Salentina, the linguistic island where Griko, the ancient language of Greek origin, is still preserved. The Candelora—Candilòra in the local dialect—is experienced as an identity ritual, uniting popular faith, rural memory, and a sense of belonging to this land of cultural borders. The fair revolves around memories of brokers, mediators, and merchants who once sealed deals with solemn handshakes and formulas spoken in dialect.

The livestock and horse market

The historical heart of the event is the livestock market. For centuries, traders from all over the Mezzogiorno converged on Martano: the fair was especially famous for the buying and selling of horses, with breeders arriving from Basilicata and Campania. Alongside the animals, one could find agricultural tools, farm machinery, and goods of all kinds, in a large open-air emporium that brought together the entire district.

Food, wine, music, and culture

Today, the Candelora combines its trade fair roots with a rich cultural program. Recurring events include: wine tastings from local wineries with the "Candelora - Gocce di Musica & Cantine" initiative, concerts of Salento folk music and pizzica, entertainment shows, creative workshops for children, conferences on agriculture and local biodiversity, as well as stands featuring typical products and Salento specialties. The event is organized by the Municipality of Martano together with the Comitato Fiera Candelora Martanese and the association ACAM 2.0 Aps.

The religious meaning of Candelora

The devotional component remains central: on February 2nd, forty days after Christmas, the blessing of the candles and the procession take place, with Holy Mass in the mother church. It is the sign that gives the fair its name and preserves its most ancient soul, one that weaves the liturgical cycle with the rhythms of agricultural life in Salento.

An event to experience

Strolling through the stalls of the Candelora means immersing yourself in the most authentic Martano, amidst the scents of local products, the sounds of the tambourine, and voices in Griko. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Grecìa Salentina out of season, when Salento shows its most intimate and traditional face.