Orecchietta Festival of Vignacastrisi

The Orecchietta Festival of Vignacastrisi

In the heart of the Salento summer, the small village of Vignacastrisi, in the municipality of Ortelle (province of Lecce), transforms into a lively hub to celebrate orecchiette, the pasta shape that best embodies the Apulian gastronomic tradition. The Orecchietta Festival is one of the longest-running food festivals in lower Salento: established in the early nineties, it has surpassed thirty-five editions, becoming a fixed appointment in the summer calendar of this corner of Puglia.

A menu of Salento tradition

The absolute star is, of course, the signature dish: orecchiette with turnip tops, served according to the Lecce recipe, alongside a popular menu that accompanies visitors along Via Martiri d'Otranto. The offerings include grilled meat, beer, fresh watermelon to end the evening, and excellent local wine. In recent years, the festival has opened its characteristic courtyards to local wineries, with stands dedicated to wine tastings that highlight Salento's viticultural production.

Folk music and local culture

The Orecchietta Festival is more than just a food event: every edition features two nights of Salento folk music, with historic pizzica bands and traditional Southern groups animating the village streets and keeping the crowd dancing until late. Over the years, well-known names from the Salento and Balkan scenes have taken the stage, transforming the festival into a celebration of the area's cultural identity, complete with tambourines, ancient rhythms, and a festive atmosphere.

Organization and tradition

The event is organized by the Parabola a Sud Cultural Association of Vignacastrisi, with the patronage of the Puglia Region, the Province of Lecce, and the Municipality of Ortelle. Chefs and volunteers work at the stoves to offer two days of authentic flavor, in a spirit of sharing that is the true hallmark of this village festival, a reference point for residents and tourists visiting Salento in summer.

An experience in lower Salento

Attending the Orecchietta Festival means discovering a genuine side of Puglia, far from the most crowded coastal resorts. Vignacastrisi is located just a few kilometers from the sea of Otranto and Santa Cesarea Terme, making it an ideal spot to combine an evening of flavors and music with a holiday among the wonders of the Adriatic Salento.