Le Notti di Santa Tecla - Le Vie della Taranta

A folk festival in the heart of the Picentini

Le Notti di Santa Tecla - Le Vie della Taranta is a festival championed by the Municipality of Montecorvino Pugliano, in the province of Salerno, to celebrate and promote the cultural and culinary heritage of the local area. The title highlights two key elements: Santa Tecla, the hilltop hamlet that hosts the event, and the world of taranta and pizzica, the traditional Southern Italian folk music that has seen a major resurgence in recent years.

Santa Tecla, a hilltop village above the plains

Santa Tecla is a hamlet of Montecorvino Pugliano, perched at an altitude of approximately 365 meters on the slopes of Monte Corvino, in the foothills of the Picentini Mountains. With just over a thousand residents, the village gathers around the church dedicated to Saint Thecla—the patron saint celebrated on September 23rd—and public spaces like Piazza Quercione and Piazza San Padre Pio, which transform into open-air stages during the summer. From here, the view stretches across the Sele Plain to the Gulf of Salerno, providing a unique atmosphere for August evenings, with cooler mountain air and the distant lights of the coast.

Why taranta in Campania?

While taranta and pizzica originate in Salento, Campania boasts an equally deep-rooted tradition of folk music: the tammurriata, frame drums, tammorre, and tambourines used in patronal feasts, and the traditional 'canti a fronna'. The reference to the «paths of the taranta» reflects this dialogue between Southern musical languages, which blend together in small village squares without formal labels. Visitors from outside the region will find an evening where dance is not a performance to be watched from a seat, but a communal circle that anyone can join.

Local flavors

The culinary aspect is at the heart of the festival: the municipal notice emphasizes activities for the dissemination, promotion, and enhancement of local cultural and gastronomic traditions. The region has plenty to offer: extra virgin olive oil from the Salerno hills, dairy products from the nearby Sele Plain, cured meats and cheeses from the Picentini, homemade pasta, legumes, and traditional preserves. It is a heritage that, in Campania, remains deeply tied to families and local associations rather than commercial dining.

An event built with local associations

• On July 21, 2026, the Municipality of Montecorvino Pugliano published a call for expressions of interest inviting local associations to participate in the event.
• The process is managed by the General Affairs, Personnel, Demographic Services, and SUAP department of the Municipality.
• Specific forms (notice and application) are available for download on the official website.
• The decision to involve local community groups follows the same model used for years in other summer festivals in Pugliano.

2026 Edition: what we know

At the time of writing, the Municipality has not yet released a detailed calendar: exact dates, times, specific locations, and the musical program have not been published, nor have any press articles appeared. The only confirmed document is the municipal notice from July 21, 2026, which places the event within the Municipality's summer schedule. Information on this page will be updated as soon as the Municipality releases the program; it is recommended to keep an eye on the «News» section of the official website and the official social media channels.

Tips for visitors

Montecorvino Pugliano is located about fifteen kilometers from Salerno, in a convenient position for those visiting the Amalfi Coast, Paestum, or the hiking trails of the Picentini Mountains. Folk evenings like this are a simple way to discover a side of inland Campania that tourist circuits often overlook: head up to the hills at sunset, dine on local products, and stay until the tambourines stop playing. Bringing a light sweater is almost always a good idea, as the air temperature changes at an altitude of 365 meters once night falls.