Saint George Fair
Tradition, community, and biodiversity in the heart of Grecìa Salentina
About Saint George Fair
The Saint George Fair in Corigliano d'Otranto
The Saint George Fair is one of the most deeply rooted traditional events in Corigliano d'Otranto, a town in the Grecìa Salentina area of the province of Lecce, in the heart of Salento, Puglia. Tied to the patron saint's feast and the ancient spring agricultural fair, the event transforms the historic center and the 17th-century Castello Volante into a vibrant meeting space dedicated to tradition, community, and biodiversity.
A celebration of rural memory and sustainability
For two days, the town's squares and streets host a craft market, stalls featuring handmade goods, and the Madreterra Fair set up at the Castello Volante—a market dedicated to sustainable agricultural products, complete with tastings, workshops, and cultural activities. The most recent edition focused on ancient grains, seed exchanges, and the protection of local biodiversity, with educational and environmental initiatives designed for families and visitors.
Carts, carriages, and Grika culture
A key identity-defining moment of the fair is the equestrian parade of traditional carts and carriages that winds through the historic center, accompanied by community games in the squares and the distribution of the traditional punghedda. Significant space is reserved for Grika culture, with folk music and workshops that highlight the language and traditions of the Hellenophone minority of Salento. Evenings are filled with cabaret and live music in Piazza Vittoria.
Organization
The Saint George Fair is promoted by Pro Loco Corigliano d'Otranto, SeminAzioni APS, and GAL Isola Salento, in collaboration with the Municipality of Corigliano d'Otranto, the Association of Merchants and Artisans, and various local associations, with the support of the Puglia Region.
Saint George Fair — edition 2026
Saint George Fair 2026
The 2026 edition was held on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, in Corigliano d'Otranto (LE). Saturday, April 25, following guided tours of local farms, the historic center hosted the craft market, while the Madreterra Fair took place at the Castello Volante, featuring a market of sustainable agricultural products with tastings and workshops; in the evening, Piazza Vittoria hosted the cabaret act I Malfattori and a concert by Zinharua. Sunday, April 26, featured a market of handmade goods, seed exchanges, environmental workshops, the traditional equestrian parade of carts and carriages, community games, activities on Grika culture, and the distribution of the punghedda.
Programme Saint George Fair 2026
Saturday, April 25
- Guided tours of local farms
- Craft market in the historic center
- Madreterra Fair at the Castello Volante: sustainable food market with tastings and workshops
- Piazza Vittoria, evening: cabaret with I Malfattori and concert by Zinharua
Sunday, April 26
- Market of handmade goods and seed exchange
- Environmental workshops and educational activities
- Equestrian parade of carts and carriages in the historic center
- Community games in the squares
- Grika culture activities with folk music and workshops
- Distribution of the traditional punghedda
Highlights Saint George Fair 2026
Prices Saint George Fair 2026
Practical information — Saint George Fair
Where
Historic center of Corigliano d'Otranto (LE), with the Madreterra Fair at the Castello Volante. Piazza Vittoria hosts the markets and evening shows.
When
A spring event tied to the feast of Saint George, traditionally held in the second half of April.
Admission
Free entry. Markets, parades, workshops, and concerts are free and open to everyone.
How to get there
Corigliano d'Otranto is located in central Salento, a few kilometers from Maglie and Otranto, easily accessible by car via the SS16 and the provincial roads of the Lecce area.
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Where does it take place — Saint George Fair
Centro storico e Castello Volante