Pettolata at the Museum

The Pettolata at the Museum in Latiano

The Pettolata at the Museum is one of the most cherished popular festivals in Latiano, an agricultural town in the province of Brindisi, located in the heart of northern Salento in Puglia. Every year, to mark the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Pro Loco of Latiano opens the doors of the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Puglia for an evening dedicated to local flavors, music, and the region's rural heritage.

Pettole, the stars of the festival

The heart of the event is the pettola, a typical Apulian fritter made from a leavened dough of water and flour, fried into small balls in local olive oil. In Salento tradition, the pettola marks the start of the Christmas season, and its preparation is a ritual that brings families together. During the Pettolata, hot pettole are served for tasting alongside local wine, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere that delights both adults and children.

Folk music and culture

The evening is brought to life by Salento folk music: pizzica, stornelli, serenades, and traditional songs accompany the festivities. Past editions have featured groups such as SALENTRIO and other ensembles dedicated to the folk repertoire of Salento, transforming the museum halls into a stage for ancient songs and rhythms.

A museum that tells the story of rural Puglia

The event takes place within the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Puglia, established in 1974 by the Pro Loco and owned by the Municipality of Latiano since 1991. As one of the first demo-ethno-anthropological museums in the region, it preserves everyday objects and perfectly reconstructed settings: the kitchen and bedroom, the blacksmith's forge with its loom, and tools used for field work. The Pettolata also includes guided tours of these spaces, turning the tasting into an opportunity to rediscover the life of the past.

A consolidated tradition

Now in its thirtieth year, the Pettolata at the Museum is a staple of the Latiano calendar, blending food, wine, folklore, and local identity. With free admission and organized by the Pro Loco under the patronage of the Municipal Administration, the festival attracts families and visitors every year who are eager to experience the magic of Christmas in advance at the Museum Hub housed in the former Dominican convent.