Focareddha de Sant'Andrea (Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle)

The Focareddha de Sant'Andrea in Presicce-Acquarica

The Focareddha de Sant'Andrea is the patronal feast of Presicce-Acquarica, a town in Lower Salento in the province of Lecce, dedicated to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the community's protector. At the heart of the festivities lies an ancient and spectacular fire ritual: a large, multi-meter-high spiral pyre, erected on Via Molise in the Presicce area and ignited on the night of the eve. The structure is inspired by the traditional paiaroni, the straw stacks of Salento's farming heritage, linking the festival to the area's rural memory.

The fire ritual and tradition

The Focareddha is listed in the regional register of Puglia's fire rituals and is part of the network of Salento fire festivals, an intangible heritage shared with other towns in the region. In the days leading up to the lighting, between November 23rd and 28th, visitors can watch the construction of the pyre in the late afternoon, which grows day by day thanks to the work of volunteers. The festival is preceded by the novena in honor of the saint: for nine days, early in the morning, the sound of the tambureddhru (tambourine) echoes through the streets, calling the faithful to religious services.

The festival program

The highlight is the eve of November 29th, when, following the religious rite, the pyre is lit on Via Molise: a breathtaking ignition accompanied by the parish Schola Cantorum and live concerts. The following day, November 30th, the liturgical feast of Saint Andrew, festivities move to Piazzetta Villani with the traditional fried fish festival and music from local bands. The event thus unites devotional and popular dimensions, drawing residents and visitors from across Salento.

A community reunited

Organized by the Focareddha de Sant'Andrea Committee with the support of the Municipality of Presicce-Acquarica, the event is much more than a celebration: it is a defining moment that, as the committee likes to remind us, unites generations and tells the story of the territory. Those unable to attend in person can follow the lighting via live stream on the official Focareddha Facebook and YouTube pages. In the heart of the Salento winter, Presicce-Acquarica lights up with fire, music, and devotion, in one of the most deeply felt traditions in this corner of Puglia.