Festival of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare

A Franciscan festival in the heart of Salento

Every year, in early October, Ruffano—a town in the province of Lecce, in the lower Salento region of Puglia—gathers to honor its patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, the namesake of the local parish. Since 2009, the celebration has also embraced Saint Clare of Assisi, to whom the new parish church, consecrated in 2008, is dedicated. This dual devotion is rooted in local history: according to tradition, the cult of these two saints stems from the historical presence of the Friars Minor and the Poor Clares in Ruffano.

Devotion, community, and tradition

The festival is more than just a religious occasion; it is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the entire Ruffano community. The heart of the celebrations unfolds between the ancient Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, overlooking Piazza della Libertà, and the modern Church of Saint Clare, adorned with artistic stained glass inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures. The calendar begins with a preparatory novena and culminates in a solemn procession of the statues through the town streets, accompanied by the marches of a brass band.

The popular spirit: lights, fireworks, and the fair

Alongside the liturgical program, the festival bursts into its secular and popular side, in true Salento style:

• Illuminations and a waterfall of lights that brighten up Piazza della Libertà;
• Fireworks display in the evening;
• Concerts and musical performances in the square, with the ever-present brass band marching through the streets;
• The traditional Saint Francis Fair, a historic market event for trade and handicrafts that brings the town to life on the first Sunday of October.

The flower festival and the Franciscan anniversary

Among the most evocative initiatives of recent years is the infiorata (flower festival) set up inside the Church of Saint Clare, a large carpet of petals dedicated to the Saint, created in the context of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis (1226-2026). It is a collective work, the result of the overnight efforts of dozens of volunteers from the parish communities, blending art, faith, and popular participation.

Experiencing Ruffano during the festival

Attending the Festival of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare means discovering an authentic corner of inland Salento, far from the major tourist flows of the coast. Between processions, the scent of traditional sweets, market stalls, and the warmth of a community coming together, Ruffano offers visitors a sincere portrait of Puglian patronal feasts, where the sacred and the secular have coexisted for centuries.