Cozza Castrense Festival

An exceptional mussel in the heart of Salento

The Cozza Castrense Festival celebrates the signature product of the sea in Castro, a small coastal town in the Province of Lecce, in the lower Salento region of Puglia. The undisputed star is the cozza castrense, a mussel farmed and refined in the crystal-clear waters of the Castro bay, fed by numerous underwater karst springs (known as citri) that keep these waters exceptionally pure and nutrient-rich. This unique marine microclimate gives the cozza castrense the flavor and quality that have made it a recognized excellence of Salento gastronomy.

Flavor, music, and entertainment by the sea

Launched in 2024, the festival takes place in the Marevivo parking area, just a stone's throw from the small harbor of Castro Marina, with food stalls open every evening from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM and free admission. Alongside the signature dishes—raw mussels, pasta with mussels, impepata (peppered mussels), and battered mussels—the menu has expanded over the years to include seafood salad, fried calamari, local oysters, battered prawns, and even an original fish burger, offering a complete journey through the flavors of the Adriatic Sea.

Each evening is accompanied by a rich program of live performances, featuring historic bands from the Salento scene, pizzica concerts, Mediterranean traditions, DJ sets, and dance-theater performances that showcase the region's popular culture.

An inclusive and sustainable event

The Cozza Castrense Festival, organized by Marevivo in partnership with the La Castrense Fishermen's Cooperative and under the patronage of the Municipality of Castro, stands out for its social and environmental commitment. For several editions, the event has collaborated with the "Amici di Nico" Autism Service Center through the "Marevivo & Friends" project, which involves special needs youth from the community in an inclusion and training program. The ASC-certified battered mussel also won the "Innovative Product 2025" award at the TuttoFood Better Future Award, confirming the value of combining tradition and innovation.

How to experience the festival

Designed as an increasingly family-friendly event, the festival offers a dedicated children's area, shuttle services, and designated parking to facilitate visitor access along the coast. An evening at the Cozza Castrense Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the small village of Castro, its crystal-clear sea, and its maritime tradition in one of Puglia's most charming locations.