Castello Volante Carnival
Carnival in the ancient fortress of Corigliano d'Otranto, in the heart of Grecìa Salentina
About Castello Volante Carnival
Carnival in the Salento fortress
The Castello Volante Carnival is the event that, during the Carnival season, brings to life the iconic manor of Corigliano d'Otranto, one of the most evocative villages in the Grecìa Salentina, in the province of Lecce. The Aragonese castle, restored in recent years as a hub for the arts and a cultural destination by the Castello Volante Rete d'Impresa, opens its halls, courtyards, and secret passages for a program designed for both adults and children.
A program of parties, shows, and games
The format of the Castello Volante Carnival changes from year to year, but always revolves around a few recognizable ingredients: parties for children, with masks, parades, entertainment, and games set within the fortress walls; live shows, ranging from improv theater to music; and convivial moments linked to fine Salento cuisine, with dinners and tastings in the castle's bistro.
- Parties and entertainment dedicated to children and families
- Shows, live music, and artistic performances
- Themed dinners and tastings of traditional Salento dishes
- Games and immersive experiences throughout the manor's halls
The Castello Volante
Located in Piazza Castello, in the historic center of Corigliano d'Otranto, the Castello Volante is a 16th-century fortress with a quadrangular plan and four corner towers, recognizable by the apotropaic masks and friezes carved into its facades. Once a defensive structure, it has become a vibrant cultural hub of Salento, hosting festivals in summer such as the SEI Festival and the Festa di Cinema del Reale, and serving as an ideal setting for Carnival events in winter.
Corigliano d'Otranto and Grecìa Salentina
The Municipality of Corigliano d'Otranto is part of the Grecìa Salentina area, where the Grika language still survives, and represents one of the most characteristic destinations in the hinterland of southern Puglia. Experiencing Carnival here means combining the tradition of masks with the charm of an authentic village, just a short distance from the beaches and art cities of Salento.
Castello Volante Carnival — edition 2026
Carnival and Valentine's Day at Castello Volante
In 2026, the Castello Volante Carnival in Corigliano d'Otranto proposed an intimate two-day format that combined the romantic atmosphere of Valentine's Day with carnival fun.
Saturday, February 14th, from 9:00 PM, the castle's Nuvole bistro and cocktail bar hosted a dinner show with the ImprovvisArt company, which transformed the audience's words, objects, and suggestions into improvised stories between courses.
Sunday, February 15th, from 3:00 PM, it was time for the 'Missione Maschere Perdute' (Lost Mask Mission) baby escape room: children, as protagonists of a multi-stage journey, explored the fortress, solved puzzles, and overcame challenges in search of masks hidden among secret rooms and mysterious passages.
Programme Castello Volante Carnival 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 9:00 PM - Valentine's Day dinner show with the ImprovvisArt company at the Castello Volante Nuvole bistro. Tasting menu featuring artichoke and Galatina potato parcels, 'maritati' pasta with burnt wheat, beef roll, and Valentine's dessert.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- 3:00 PM - 'Missione Maschere Perdute' baby escape room for children, featuring puzzles and challenges in the castle halls.
Highlights Castello Volante Carnival 2026
- Dinner show with improv theater by the ImprovvisArt company
- Traditional Salento tasting menu, with vegan option
- 'Missione Maschere Perdute' baby escape room dedicated to children
- Setting in the ancient Aragonese fortress of Corigliano d'Otranto
Prices Castello Volante Carnival 2026
Practical information — Castello Volante Carnival
How to get there
Corigliano d'Otranto is located in the inland Salento, about 25 km from Lecce. By car, it can be reached via the SS16 and the provincial roads of Grecìa Salentina; the train station is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est. The reference airports are Brindisi and Bari.
Tickets and reservations
Individual Carnival events (dinner shows, escape rooms for children, parties) have dedicated tickets and rates, often requiring mandatory reservations. Updated information can be found on the Castello Volante social media channels.
Contacts
Castello Volante, Piazza Castello 1, Corigliano d'Otranto (LE). Phone +39 351 913 7972, email [email protected].
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Castello Volante Carnival
Castello Volante
Piazza Castello 1, 73022 Corigliano d'Otranto