Sagra te lu Lacciu Festival

The Celery Festival in the heart of Salento

The Sagra te lu Lacciu takes place in Sanarica, a small town in the province of Lecce, in the heart of Salento, Apulia. Originally a peasant feast, the event celebrates a product as simple as it is iconic: celery, which in the Salento dialect is called "lu lacciu". Unlike other parts of Italy, where celery is primarily a base ingredient for soffritto and broths, in Salento it is appreciated on its own as a fresh, crunchy snack, often dipped in wine during an aperitif.

What is "lu lacciu"?

The celery grown in the fields around Sanarica is the absolute star of the festival. Its deep, vibrant green fills the market stalls, while in the food stands, it becomes the base for the famous sugo di lacciu, a sauce made from celery, tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and ricotta, used to dress fresh pasta. It is a testament to how Salento cuisine can transform the humblest ingredients of the land into dishes full of character.

A moment of celebration and faith

The Sagra te lu Lacciu is more than just a gastronomic event: it traditionally opens the festivities in honor of the Madonna delle Grazie, the most cherished celebration in Sanarica, which culminates on September 8th. During these days, the town comes alive with religious ceremonies, the procession with the statue of the Madonna, evening concerts in the square, and traditional fireworks, blending the sacred and the profane in the way typical of Southern patronal feasts.

What to eat

• Fresh celery (lu lacciu), freshly harvested, to be enjoyed raw or dipped in wine
• Sugo di lacciu served with handmade fresh pasta
• Pittule, rustic sandwiches, and grilled meat
• Local cheeses, homemade desserts, and Salento wine

Music and atmosphere

The tastings are accompanied by live folk music and pizzica groups—the traditional dance of Salento—alongside displays of local handicrafts. Strolling through the streets of Sanarica's historic center during the festival means immersing yourself in an authentic village atmosphere, defined by genuine flavors, hospitality, and tradition.

Sanarica, a village of a few hundred inhabitants just a few kilometers from Otranto, is a small jewel of the Salento hinterland: the Sagra te lu Lacciu is the perfect opportunity to discover it and savor an authentic piece of Apulian culture.