Salento in Cima alla Cuccagna (Collepasso stage)

A Salento tradition that challenges the sky

The Salento in Cima alla Cuccagna is a traveling circuit of greasy pole climbing competitions, unique in Southern Italy. Every spring, it brings an ancient custom linked to Salento's Easter tradition to the squares of the Lecce province: climbing a pole covered in grease, where teams of four athletes combine technique, strength, and coordination to reach the very top. Founded in 2019, the event has grown year after year, involving numerous municipalities and transforming a rural ritual into a true sporting discipline recognized by CONI, with annual national championships.

The Collepasso stage

In the Municipality of Collepasso, in the province of Lecce, the event takes place in the area in front of the Palazzo Baronale, the historic heart of the town. The stage is organized by the Rioni Collepassesi Aps association, which has kept this custom alive for years by involving both adults and children. The day is not just about the competition: around the pole, there are vintage car and motorcycle exhibitions, picnic areas for families, inflatables, a Baby Park for the little ones, music, and social moments that enliven the entire afternoon.

The greasy pole

The main pole reaches a height of 13.5 meters and is entirely covered in grease, making the climb a true test of skill and endurance. Teams climb by forming human pyramids, pushing each other toward the top. A shorter, dedicated pole is set up for children and teenagers so that the younger ones can experience the thrill of the challenge safely.

A circuit crossing Salento

The Collepasso stage is part of a wider route that touches various Salento towns, from Carmiano to Monteroni di Lecce, from Sternatia to Tuglie, from San Donato di Lecce to Galatina. This itinerant nature is the event's true strength: each municipality adds its own side events, including fairs, markets, musical performances, and tastings of local products, creating a bridge between the communities of the Lecce province and showcasing the entire Salento region of Puglia.

Sport, folklore, and community

Beyond the competition, Salento in Cima alla Cuccagna is above all a popular festival that unites generations. It is an opportunity to rediscover a tradition that risked disappearing, to gather in the square, and to celebrate the identity of a territory proud of its roots. In Collepasso, the day often ends with award ceremonies, music, and the presentation of traditional local prizes.