Fiera Pessima
The great trade fair of Manduria, dating back to 1742
About Pessima
A fair that has lasted for nearly three centuries
The Fiera Pessima is much more than a commercial appointment: it is a piece of history in Manduria, a town in the province of Taranto in the heart of the Salento region. Documented as early as 1742, the event began as a meeting point for farmers, breeders, and merchants, and over the centuries, it has become one of the most significant trade fairs in Puglia and the entire Mezzogiorno. The curious dialect name "Pessima" (meaning 'worst') is now part of the city's identity and a source of pride for the people of Manduria, who bring the Viale Piceno exhibition area to life every March.
What to expect
The Pessima spans thousands of square meters of covered pavilions and large outdoor spaces along the ring road between Taranto and Lecce. Exhibitors arrive from all over Italy, presenting a vast range of products:
- Food and local specialties from the region, from cheeses to Salento cured meats;
- Primitivo di Manduria wines, with tastings and conferences dedicated to the future of the wine industry;
- Local crafts, home decor, clothing, technology, and services;
- a pavilion dedicated to the wedding sector, with fashion shows and wedding planning proposals;
- a food and wine area featuring cooking shows and tastings.
Tradition and folklore
Alongside its commercial dimension, the Pessima preserves its most ancient and beloved rituals. The "Fiera ti li Ciucci" (the Donkey Fair) evokes the agricultural soul of the event, while the presentation of the jujube and the celebrations linked to this fruit highlight a deep connection to the land and the typical products of the Manduria area. The event also features shows, performances in the Salento dialect, poetry slams, and activities designed for families.
Culture, debate, and community
Each day of the fair week hosts conferences, forums, and seminars on current affairs: education, labor, environmental sustainability, health, tourism, and regional development. The "Officina Sociale" section also provides a space for non-profit organizations, confirming the Pessima's role as a meeting place for the entire community of Manduria and Salento.
An event accessible to all
Entry to the fair is symbolic, with discounts and free admission for various categories. The Pessima remains a popular event in the truest sense of the word: an opportunity to stroll among the stands, taste Puglian flavors, attend a conference, or simply experience the atmosphere of a tradition that has accompanied Manduria for nearly three centuries.
Pessima — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Fiera Pessima, the 283rd in its long history, recorded record numbers: 300 exhibitors from all over Italy across approximately 9,000 square meters of covered pavilions, complemented by vast outdoor spaces, with a hall dedicated to reception, ticketing, and information. The event confirmed itself as one of the most important trade fairs in Puglia and Southern Italy.
The calendar alternated the commercial dimension with a dense cultural and social program, featuring daily conferences on education, labor, sustainability, health, wine, and tourism, alongside the traditional rites of the fair.
Programme Pessima 2026
Friday, March 6 — Inauguration
- 3:30 PM — Official inauguration ceremony with regional and local authorities; opening to the public from 5:00 PM
- 6:30 PM — Meeting on the historical roots of the territory: "Cu li messapi o senza li messapi no campi lu stessu?"
- Cooking show with Michelin-starred chef Floriano Pellegrino and guest star Alex Belli
Saturday, March 7
- 9:30 AM — Conference "Challenges and future perspectives of the Italian school system"
- 5:30 PM — Discussion on labor issues (ex-Ilva dispute)
Sunday, March 8
- 9:30 AM — Seminar on varietal innovation, DOP regulations, and Manduria wine markets
- 5:30 PM — Talk "Women in society"
- "Fiera ti li Ciucci" (the historic Donkey Fair)
Monday, March 9
- 9:30 AM — Conference on innovation "Play the Future"
- 5:00 PM — Presentation of the "Manduria Luxury" tourism destination project
Tuesday, March 10
- 9:30 AM — "Ecoforum at the fair", dedicated to sustainability
- 5:30 PM — Conference on territory, prevention, and civil protection
Wednesday, March 11
- 9:30 AM — Workshop on sustainable phytosanitary strategies for grapes, olives, and almonds
- 5:30 PM — Cycle "From training to business development" with a startup showcase
Thursday, March 12 — Closing
- 9:30 AM — Security conference "Listening to prevent"
- 5:00 PM — Jujube Festival and promotion of local specialties
- 8:00 PM — Grand finale "Riding the wave", the Great Pessima Game
Highlights Pessima 2026
Prices Pessima 2026
Practical information — Pessima
Location
The Fiera Pessima is held at the Exhibition and Market Area of Viale Piceno, along the Taranto-Lecce ring road, in Manduria (TA).
How to get there
By car: Manduria can be reached via the SS7 ter and the provincial road between Taranto and Lecce; ample parking is available in the area outside the fair. By train: the Manduria station is served by Ferrovie del Sud Est; bus and rail connections are available from Taranto and Lecce.
Hours and admission
The fair is open daily from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. The entry ticket is symbolic (1.50 euros), with free admission for children under 1.50m in height, people with disabilities, those over 70, and authorized school groups.
Tip
Take advantage of your visit to explore the historic center of Manduria, its Messapian city walls, and the wineries of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC.
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Where does it take place — Pessima
Area Mercatale e Fieristica di Viale Piceno
Area Mercatale e Fieristica, Viale Piceno, 74024 Manduria