Folk Music and Pitta Rustica Festival

A festival in the heart of Grecìa Salentina

The Folk Music and Pitta Rustica Festival is one of the most beloved summer events in Castrignano de' Greci, a small town of just over 3,600 residents in the Province of Lecce, in the heart of Grecìa Salentina. Here, in this linguistic island that still preserves the memory of Grico—the ancient dialect of Greek origin—the festival becomes much more than just a food fair: it is a way to tell the story of a town's identity and an entire territory.

Pitta rustica: a humble dish turned icon

The undisputed star is the pitta rustica, a savory potato focaccia with roots in the peasant cuisine of Salento. The potato dough is topped with onions, black olives, tomato sauce, oregano, capers, and anchovies, creating a simple yet intense result that smells of tradition. A humble dish, born from the need to waste nothing, it has now become a local culinary emblem and the reason why thousands of people visit the town every year.

During the evenings, alongside the pitta rustica, the Pro Loco stalls also offer other Salento specialties, from local products to fried delicacies, all accompanied by fine local wine.

Folk music, pizzica, and folklore

As the name suggests, the festival is also dedicated to folk music. The squares of the historic center come alive with live concerts, pizzica bands, and folklore performances that, here in Grecìa Salentina, take on unique nuances: the rhythms and melodies intertwine with the area's Greek heritage. There are also cabaret and entertainment evenings, making the atmosphere festive and perfect for families, young people, and visitors alike.

A Pro Loco tradition since 1996

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Castrignano de' Greci, which created it in 1996 specifically to promote and share the pitta rustica beyond the town's borders. Since then, the festival has established itself as one of the most delicious stops of the Salento summer, attracting visitors from across the Province of Lecce and beyond.

When and where

The event traditionally takes place in the second half of July, in the squares and streets of the historic center of Castrignano de' Greci, featuring several consecutive evenings of gastronomy and entertainment. Admission is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls. It is the perfect opportunity to combine a tasty evening with a stroll through the village's churches and 16th-century castle.