Sagra de lu Porcu Pri Pri and Homemade Pasta Festival

A festival that smells of peasant tradition

In the small village of Montesardo, a hillside hamlet of the municipality of Alessano in the province of Lecce, the Sagra de lu Porcu Pri Pri and Homemade Pasta Festival is one of the most iconic popular celebrations in Lower Salento. For over twenty years, in the shadow of the church and the stone houses of the historic center, the community has gathered to celebrate the most authentic flavors of Puglian peasant cuisine—a tradition built on simple ingredients and recipes passed down through generations.

Where the name "Pri Pri" comes from

The curious name of the festival is rooted in an old village custom: raising a pig in the square, fed and pampered by all the inhabitants, before celebrating and cooking it for the feast. "Pri Prì" was the very call used to summon the animal, which has since become the playful and affectionate symbol of the entire event. Around this rural memory, a festival was born that combines taste, irony, and a sense of belonging.

The festival dishes

The absolute star is the roast porchetta—lu porcu—slow-cooked and served over embers, accompanied by homemade pasta prepared by hand by the local women according to traditional Salento recipes. At the food stalls, you can also sample other traditional specialties:

• pittule, hot and fragrant fried dough balls;
• frise topped with tomato and extra virgin olive oil;
• marenna and rustic dishes featuring turnip greens, chickpeas, and bread;
• typical Salento desserts and local products.

Music, pizzica, and village atmosphere

As per Salento tradition, the evening is brought to life by pizzica and live folk music, with traveling bands accompanying the public through the alleys and concerts in the square until late at night. The festival, organized by the Associazione Pro Montesardo with the involvement of volunteers and local families, offers free admission and is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic hospitality of this corner of Puglia, just a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca and the beaches of the Capo.