Night of Wishes

A night of stars and wishes in the heart of Salento

Every year, on St. Lawrence's Night, the village of Corigliano d'Otranto, in the province of Lecce, lights up with a special charm for the Night of Wishes. It is the moment when the town, one of the most evocative in Grecìa Salentina, invites residents and visitors to look up at the sky to search for shooting stars and entrust them with a wish. Around the Castello Volante, the imposing 16th-century fortress that dominates the historic center, and through the streets and courtyards of the village, a widespread path of performances, music, flavors, and astronomical wonders unfolds.

The Castello Volante, heart of the event

The Castello Volante (historically Castello De' Monti) is the fulcrum around which the entire event revolves. Its halls, moats, and terraces become stages for guided tours at sunset, themed exhibitions, concerts, and dance performances. From here, the event radiates toward Piazza San Nicola and the courtyards of the historic center, transforming the entire town into an open-air theater.

A multidisciplinary program

The Night of Wishes is by nature a multidisciplinary event, designed for all ages. Among the offerings that characterize the event, edition after edition, are:

• Dance: performances by companies such as the Balletto del Sud, staged in the moats and spaces of the castle.
• Street theater and performing arts: fire shows, juggling, and acrobatics that enliven the route between the squares.
• Astronomical observation: stations with telescopes and guidance from Salento amateur astronomer groups to observe the summer sky and the Perseids.
• Dark-room readings for children: nursery rhymes, stories, and silent books told among the village courtyards.
• Music and silent disco: concerts, DJ sets, and the Quiet Zone after midnight, for dancing with headphones under the stars.
• Flavors: tastings of wines and typical products of the Salento territory in the town squares.

The Borgo Volante project

The Night of Wishes is part of the broader Borgo Volante project, promoted by the municipal administration of Corigliano d'Otranto and supported by the Ministry of Culture. The project aims to enhance the village's heritage and make it a vibrant place of culture and community, in collaboration with local entities such as Big Sur, the Castello Volante, the Merchants' Association, and numerous local associations. Admission to the event is free, consistent with the popular and inclusive vocation of the festival.

Why it's worth attending

The Night of Wishes is much more than an evening of events: it is a way to experience the most authentic Salento, far from the crowds of the seaside, amidst ancient stone, starry skies, and the hospitality of a small town in Grecìa Salentina. Those looking for an experience that combines culture, nature, and tradition will find here one of the most poetic nights of the Apulian summer.