I Colori dell'Olio Festival

A festival dedicated to Salento's liquid gold

The I Colori dell'Olio Festival, also known as the Praesitium Festival, is one of the most anticipated summer events in lower Salento. Every year in mid-August, the town of Presicce-Acquarica in the province of Lecce dedicates several evenings to extra virgin olive oil, the true hallmark of the Salento region. The event weaves together major free concerts, food stalls, local crafts, and culture, turning the historic town squares into a vibrant open-air stage.

The «City of Hypogea»

Presicce is renowned as the «City of Hypogea»: beneath its streets and squares lies a dense network of underground oil mills, ancient stone-carved presses where Salento's oil was produced for centuries. During the festival, these sites take center stage, honoring the labor and passion of past millers and connecting the celebration to the town's productive memory. A dedicated award for the best oils highlights products made strictly from Salento olives, pressed within hours of harvesting.

The 2026 musical program

The 17th edition runs from August 17th to 19th in Piazza del Popolo. Three nights of great music with free admission: starting on August 17th with 99 Posse, the legendary Italian alternative band blending rap, reggae, and urban sounds; on August 18th, RAF takes the stage following his Sanremo Festival appearance for an elegant and emotional performance; the finale on August 19th features Francesco Gabbani, one of Italy's most versatile artists, in a show full of energy and wit.

Taste and tradition in the square

Alongside the concerts, the festival features food stalls showcasing local flavors, with a special focus on extra virgin olive oil, the absolute star of the event. Visitors can enjoy tastings, traditional Salento products, craft displays, and cultural insights into local food and wine, making I Colori dell'Olio a multisensory experience that unites music, flavor, and tradition.

Presicce-Acquarica, the heart of lower Salento

Formed by the merger of Presicce and Acquarica del Capo, Presicce-Acquarica is located in the heart of lower Salento, just a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca and the Ionian coast. Recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, the town offers festival-goers a historic center filled with noble palaces, Baroque churches, and courtyards—the perfect backdrop for one of the most authentic folk festivals in Puglia.