Onion Calzone and Wine Festival

A festival in the heart of the patronal feast

The Onion Calzone and Wine Festival is one of the most anticipated winter events in Binetto, an agricultural village in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia. The event is part of the celebrations in honor of the Madonna Santissima di Costantinopoli, the town's patron saint and protector, and is traditionally held on the Saturday before the first Tuesday of March, the highlight of the religious festivities.

For one evening, the Binetto square transforms into a vibrant meeting point where the scent of freshly baked calzone mingles with music and laughter. It is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the genuine flavors of Apulian peasant cuisine in an atmosphere of authentic local conviviality.

The onion calzone, the absolute star

The true star of the festival is the onion calzone, one of the iconic dishes of the gastronomic tradition of the Bari hinterland. It is a savory pastry filled with typical white onions and sponsali (local spring onions), often enriched with olives, raisins, and anchovies, all encased in a golden, crispy crust. To complete the tasting, a glass of local wine—which gives the event its name—is a must.

Alongside the calzone, the stalls offer other specialties of humble Apulian cuisine, providing a culinary journey that tells the story and agricultural roots of this corner of Apulia.

Music, shows, and tradition

The festival is not just about gastronomy: the evening is enlivened by live performances, dance groups, and music that engage both adults and children. The event is organized by the Binetto Festival Committee with the patronage of the Municipality, which renews its commitment every year to keep this popular tradition alive.

Devotion to the Madonna di Costantinopoli

The festival is inextricably linked to the Patronal Feast of the Madonna di Costantinopoli, which is particularly dear to the people of Binetto for the protection granted to the community during a historical episode involving a frost that threatened the crops. During the days of the feast, the town lights up with illuminations and concludes on Tuesday with the solemn procession of the Madonna's effigy through the streets of the center, the symbolic handing over of the city keys by the mayor, a band concert in Piazza Umberto I, and the traditional fireworks display.