Castellana Sport Festival

A sports village in the heart of Puglia

The Castellana Sport Festival is the major sports celebration of Castellana Grotte, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari world-renowned for its caves. Every year, at the end of summer, the town's central squares are transformed into a true open-air sports village: courts set up on the pavement, association booths, exhibitions, tournaments, and open classes bring the heart of the town to life for three days of non-stop activity.

The event is organized by the Municipality of Castellana Grotte in collaboration with the Sports Council, as part of the Piazze d'Estate summer program, promoted by the Municipality together with Grotte di Castellana srl. The underlying idea is simple and successful: to take sports out of the gyms and return them to the streets, the squares, and the community.

All disciplines in a single weekend

The program covers a wide range of disciplines thanks to the involvement of local sports organizations. The set-up courts feature volleyball, basketball, and soccer, while spaces dedicated to movement host martial arts (karate, kung fu, Tai Ji Quan), dance, fitness, gymnastics, and athletics. There are also activities designed for children, inclusive sports demonstrations for people with disabilities, and moments for reflection with talks, book presentations, and meetings with champions and specialists.

• Playing courts open for volleyball, basketball, and soccer, with free practice sessions available at certain times
• Exhibitions and open classes by local sports associations
• Martial arts, dance, and fitness in dedicated movement spaces
• Activities for children and teenagers and inclusive sports
• Talks, award ceremonies for local sports excellence, and themed meetings

A free and participatory festival

The Castellana Sport Festival has free admission and is built on a strongly participatory spirit: anyone can attend, try out the disciplines, and get to know the many associations that keep the town's sporting life vibrant. The award ceremonies dedicated to local athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout the year strengthen the bond between the event and the community, celebrating the results and values of sport.

Sport and territory in Castellana Grotte

Experiencing the Castellana Sport Festival also means discovering one of the most evocative villages in Puglia. A few steps from the historic center are the famous Grotte di Castellana, one of the most spectacular speleological complexes in Italy, while the Bari hinterland offers trulli, masserie, and authentic gastronomy. A weekend dedicated to movement, but also an opportunity to combine sport, culture, and tradition in the heart of the Puglian summer.