Madonna della Mercede Fair

One of the oldest fairs in Salento

The Madonna della Mercede Fair is one of the most deeply rooted and cherished events in Campi Salentina, a town in the province of Lecce, in the heart of northern Salento. With a bicentennial history, the fair traces its origins back to 1797, when it was officially authorized by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, King of Naples, giving institutional form to a popular devotion that had existed for centuries. The veneration of the Madonna della Mercede, co-patron of the city alongside the patron saint, is linked to the protection invoked against the Turkish raids that threatened the coasts and villages of Salento between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Faith and rural tradition

The event traditionally takes place around the third Sunday of October and the following days, marking the end of the harvest season in the ancient agricultural calendar. It is no coincidence that one of the most characteristic moments remains the historic livestock fair, held at dawn: once the economic heart of the event, it is now a precious testament to the area's rural roots and an opportunity to rediscover trades and knowledge tied to the land.

Horses, the absolute stars

The defining feature that makes the Campi Salentina fair famous is its deep bond with the equestrian world. The highlight of the day features the Grand Equestrian Show, showcasing elegance and technique, and above all the Horse Parade, a procession that gathers dozens of riders from all over Salento and winds through the town center amidst crowds of onlookers. Organized by riders devoted to the Madonna della Mercede, the parade has become a true symbol of the festival over the years.

Stalls, crafts, and flavors

Throughout the event, Viale Nino di Palma and the town's main arteries transform into a long path of market stalls: street vendors, local crafts, sweets, and Salento gastronomic specialties. There is also the Degustando food and wine circuit, designed to help visitors discover local products accompanied by music and entertainment. The religious festival, with its masses, processions of the statue of the Madonna, and the traditional singing of the Salve Regina in the square, marks the moments of reflection and community.

A defining local appointment

Between the sacred and the profane, the Madonna della Mercede Fair tells the most authentic story of Campi Salentina and Puglia: popular devotion, peasant civilization, a passion for horses, and the pleasure of being together. An event that draws thousands of visitors from neighboring towns every October, confirming its status as one of the longest-running and most beloved traditions in Salento.