La Notte della Taranta in Corigliano d'Otranto

La Notte della Taranta in Corigliano d'Otranto

Every summer, Corigliano d'Otranto hosts one of the most anticipated evenings of La Notte della Taranta, the festival celebrating pizzica and the folk music of Salento. The town, located in the heart of Grecìa Salentina in the province of Lecce, is traditionally the first stop of this traveling festival: it is here that the long musical journey begins each year, winding through some twenty Salento municipalities before reaching the grand final Concertone in Melpignano.

Italy's largest traveling festival

Founded in 1998, the La Notte della Taranta traveling festival is considered the largest of its kind in Italy. For over three weeks, between late July and mid-August, the squares and castles of Salento fill with music, dance, and the hypnotic rhythms of the tambourine. The Corigliano d'Otranto stage, which is free and held outdoors, combines concerts, dance performances, cultural encounters, and the participation of the "La Notte della Taranta" Popular Orchestra, the true musical soul of the event.

The Castello Volante, the heart of the festival

The main stage is the Castello Volante (De' Monti Castle), an imposing 16th-century fortress that dominates the historic center of Corigliano d'Otranto. Its dramatic walls, corner towers, and moat provide the perfect backdrop for shows, dance workshops, and concerts that continue late into the night, drawing locals and visitors into one great community celebration.

Pizzica, taranta, and Salento identity

Pizzica is rooted in the ancient ritual of tarantism: it was once believed that the bite of the taranta spider could only be cured through a frantic, liberating dance accompanied by tambourines, violins, and accordions. Today, this heritage has become a symbol of Salento's identity, attracting thousands of enthusiasts from across Italy and abroad to Puglia. In Corigliano d'Otranto, where Griko—the ancient Greek-derived language—still survives, the festival takes on an even deeper cultural significance.

A bridge across the Mediterranean

Each edition entrusts its artistic direction to a different Maestro Concertatore, tasked with reinterpreting the traditional repertoire through original arrangements and collaborations with Italian and international guests. The festival increasingly serves as a cultural bridge across the Mediterranean, a meeting place for languages, peoples, and sounds, in keeping with the welcoming spirit of Puglia and its hinterland.

The Municipality and the territory

The event is promoted by the La Notte della Taranta Foundation with the support of the Municipality of Corigliano d'Otranto and the towns of Grecìa Salentina. Beyond the music, the evening is an opportunity to discover the village, its churches, local products, and the hospitality of Salento, one of Puglia's most beloved tourist destinations.