Easter Monday at Madonna di Montevergine (Return to the Earth)

A four-century-old Salento tradition

In Arnesano, a small town in the province of Lecce in the heart of Salento, Easter Monday is more than just a holiday; it is a defining community event that has been held for nearly four hundred years. On Easter Monday, the locals leave the town center and head into the countryside toward the small rural church of Santa Maria di Montevergine: a collective pilgrimage that weaves together religious devotion, rural conviviality, and a love for the land.

The chapel of Santa Maria di Montevergine

The rural church of Montevergine, located about three kilometers from town, is a place of worship dating back to 1635. Inside the apse, a large fresco depicts 'Sancta Maria de Monte Virginis' crowned by the Holy Trinity. For centuries, on Easter Monday, the faithful have traveled there in procession for mass, while the statue of the Madonna, usually kept in the main parish church, is carried in a pageant toward the countryside.

«Lu riu»: the Easter Monday outing

Surrounding the religious rite, the popular tradition of 'fare lu riu' has grown over the centuries: families, friends, and groups gather among the olive and pine trees for an outdoor lunch, sharing typical Salento dishes like puddhricasciu, eggs, meat, and wine. In the past, group games like the Cuccagna (greasy pole) were common; while rarer today, they remain a vivid part of the town's memory.

Ritorno alla Terra: the modern festival

Today, the Ritorno alla Terra association, led by Vito Antonio Pati, carries on and revitalizes this legacy. Every Easter Monday, they set up a large communal table in the open spaces of Via Madonna di Montevergine. The day's motto says it all: 'purtàti cu bui ca mangiati cu nui' (bring what you eat, eat what we bring). Around the tables, a simple market, a picnic area in the pine forest, community gardens, wild herb foraging, and pet therapy with animals come to life.

Music, pizzica, and community

The soundtrack of the day is rooted in Salento tradition: pizzica and tambourine workshops, live performances, and DJ sets turn the meadow into a massive folk festival. Over the years, the event has featured the famous Tamburellisti di Torrepaduli and musical segments dedicated to reggae and world music. Participation is open and free, reflecting the spirit of a community reuniting in the open air.

Arnesano and Salento

Located just a few kilometers from Lecce, Arnesano is a gateway to the most authentic Salento. The Easter Monday in Montevergine is the perfect opportunity to discover a ritual that has remained true to itself, where popular faith, good food, and pizzica music continue to tell the story of the rural soul of this corner of Puglia.