Riti e Sapori intorno al Menhir Festival

A festival that is much more than a festival

Riti e Sapori intorno al Menhir is the summer event that brings the historic district of Tutino, a hamlet of Tricase in the heart of lower Salento (Lecce, Puglia), to life each year. Organized by the Associazione La Culonna – Tutino, with the support of the local parish and community groups, the festival aims to celebrate the history and identity of this unique place, gathering the entire community around its most ancient symbol.

The menhir and the district of Tutino

The symbolic heart of the event is the menhir of Tutino, known as La Culonna di Santu Linardu: a monolith that bears witness to the archaic roots of this land and gives its name to the organizing association. The festival route winds through the illuminated streets and squares of the district, with stops dedicated to local heritage, including the 16th-century Tutino Castle and the village's ancient churches, which are often open for guided tours during the event.

The land of the paparussi

Tutino is known as the land of the paparussi (peppers in the local Salento dialect), and this vegetable is the true star of the menu. Along the gastronomic route, visitors can enjoy roasted and fried peppers, frìse, grilled eggplant, fave e cicore (fava beans and chicory), pucce, pizza, fresh homemade pasta, spit-roasted meats, and traditional artisanal sweets like mustazzoli and lemon cookies, all paired with local wine and homemade liqueurs.

Music, culture, and community

Alongside the food stalls, the festival features live music, pizzica, folk dancing, DJ sets, art installations, and activities for children. The courtyards and squares of the district become open-air stages, while craft exhibitions guide visitors through a journey of flavors and memories. Defined by its organizers as more than a festival, the event is an authentic opportunity to discover the intimate, non-touristy side of Tricase and Salento.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally held in early August, historically on the evening of August 5th. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced; the program is usually released by the association and the municipal tourist information office in the weeks leading up to the event.