Saint Catherine of Alexandria Celebrations - Fera te lu Cappottu and Negroamaro Wine Festival

An autumn festival of faith and tradition

In Cellino San Marco, a small town in the province of Brindisi nestled in the heart of the Salento, the end of November is marked by celebrations in honor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, venerated by locals alongside Saint Mark the Evangelist. Around the liturgical feast day of November 25th, the town transforms for several days into a vibrant mix of religious rites, popular markets, and food and wine events that draw visitors from across southern Apulia.

The Fera te lu Cappottu

The secular heart of the festival is the Fera te lu Cappottu, the historic coat fair traditionally held on the last Sunday of November, coinciding with the feast of Saint Catherine. Originally an opportunity to purchase heavy winter clothing, the fair has expanded its offerings over time: today, the town center is filled with stalls selling clothing, footwear, linens, handicrafts, and, above all, the flavors of Apulian tradition. While it has moved beyond its exclusive focus on coats, the fair retains the spirit of that ancient rural custom, remaining one of the most cherished events in the local calendar.

The Negroamaro Wine Festival

The patronal celebrations are accompanied by the Negroamaro Wine Festival, dedicated to the premier grape variety of the Salento region. Cellino San Marco is a land of great red wines, and the event celebrates Negroamaro with food and wine stands, tastings, the presence of the best Apulian wineries, and live music evenings that bring the town squares to life. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the winemaking identity of this corner of Apulia, where local estates and cellars are an integral part of the landscape and culture.

Religious celebrations

The devotional aspect remains central: the festivities open with a triduum of preparation in the parish church, culminating in a solemn Holy Mass and a procession of the statue of Saint Catherine through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by a brass band and the participation of the entire community. Faith and folklore thus coexist in a single major event that unites different generations.

Cellino San Marco, the town of wine

Located between Brindisi and Lecce, in the territory of the Terra dei Messapi, Cellino San Marco is known for its high-quality wine production and its deep ties to the Salento wine industry. The Saint Catherine celebrations, featuring the Fera te lu Cappottu and the Negroamaro Wine Festival, represent the moment when the community gathers to renew its devotion while showcasing the rural and winemaking soul of this Apulian town.