Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

The patronal feast of Zollino

Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of Zollino, a village of just over 1,800 inhabitants nestled in the Grecìa Salentina, the area of the Lecce province where Griko—an ancient language of Greek origin—is still preserved. While the liturgical calendar celebrates the Saint on June 13th, the community of Zollino holds its true patronal feast in the height of summer, traditionally on August 22nd and 23rd, when the town fills with lights, music, and visitors.

«Sant'Antonio dellu maletiempu»

The people of Zollino call their patron by a unique local name: «Sant'Antonio dellu maletiempu», meaning Saint Anthony of the bad weather. This devotion dates back to 1898, when a violent hurricane struck the town: the faithful decided to carry the statue of the Saint in procession to implore an end to the storm. Since then, Saint Anthony has been considered the protector against the adversities of the sky, and the festival maintains a deep bond with that episode, which unites popular faith and collective memory.

Two days of tradition

The festival opens with a solemn Eucharistic celebration and the procession of the Saint's statue through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by characteristic symphonic marches performed by brass bands. In the evenings, the typical Salento marching bands, arriving from nearby towns like Squinzano and Racale, animate the square under the light displays, while there is also space for the folk music of the Grecìa Salentina. On the morning of the second day, the ritual of the handing over of the town keys from the mayor to the patron saint is renewed—a symbolic gesture entrusting the community to his protection. The grand finale is provided by a spectacular fireworks display.

A village to discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Zollino and the Grecìa Salentina: local gastronomic traditions such as scèblasti (celebrated in a dedicated festival in early August), the pizzica dance, and the Griko linguistic heritage make this corner of Puglia an authentic destination, far from the more crowded circuits of the Salento. Those who arrive in Zollino for Saint Anthony will find a genuine village festival, where religious devotion intertwines with conviviality and the identity of a small community proud of its roots.