Notte Verde

A festival that tells the story of the land

Notte Verde is much more than an August festival: it is the agri-cultural festival of Cisternino, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy overlooking the Itria Valley, in the Province of Brindisi. Every year, the event explores the origins of food, raises awareness about environmental respect, and preserves the rural traditions of this corner of Puglia, nestled among trulli, dry-stone walls, and masserie.

Origins and spirit

The festival has grown edition after edition thanks to a partnership between the Urbieterre Cultural Association, CIA-Agricoltori Italiani Puglia, and various local entities, with the patronage of the Municipality of Cisternino. The core idea is simple yet powerful: to bring the bond between those who work the land and those who live in the village back to the centre, turning squares and districts into places of meeting, knowledge, and celebration.

What to experience at Notte Verde

• Live music ranging from world music to singer-songwriter tracks and sounds that dialogue with nature.
• Dance and theatre in the open-air spaces of the historic centre.
• Light installations and exhibitions spread throughout alleys and squares.
• Astronomical observations from the Civic Tower.
• Workshops, pomological exhibitions, and tastings of typical products from the Itria Valley.

A village to be experienced slowly

Cisternino, awarded the Orange Flag and part of the Città Slow network, is the ideal setting for a festival that invites you to slow down. During Notte Verde, the maze of white alleys, courtyards, and viewpoints over the valley come alive until late at night, offering an authentic experience far from mass tourism. Admission to the events is traditionally free, allowing everyone to wander through the village and be surprised by an encounter, a concert, or a starry sky.

Beyond the historic centre

In recent years, Notte Verde has taken on a widespread dimension, involving the districts and hamlets of the Cisternino area—such as Casalini, Caranna, and Figazzano—with events dedicated to agricultural culture, food and wine, and the memory of the rural communities of the Itria Valley.