San Marco Fair and Feast and Madonna del Buon Consiglio Festival

An ancient festival in the heart of Salento

The San Marco Fair and Feast and the Madonna del Buon Consiglio Festival is one of the most deeply rooted events in the history of Ruffano, a town in the province of Lecce, in lower Salento. Around April 25th, the town experiences days of intense popular devotion and high participation, where the religious dimension merges with the civic and commercial aspects in one grand event that draws thousands of visitors from across the province.

The oldest spring fair in the region

The civic heart of the event is the San Marco Fair, considered the oldest spring fair in the area, with origins dating back to the 15th century. Throughout the day on April 25th, the streets and squares of the historic center are filled with stalls displaying seasonal products, work tools, plants, seeds, and typical local crafts, including famous terracotta items. In the past, the fair was also an important livestock market, and it still retains the genuine atmosphere of ancient Salento peasant fairs today.

Saint Mark the Evangelist, patron of hearing

The devotion to Saint Mark the Evangelist is deeply linked to the protection of hearing: according to tradition, on April 25th, the faithful receive a tuft of blessed cotton wool soaked in holy oil to apply to their ears as a remedy for pain. The celebrations take place at the Sanctuary and the Church of the Carmine, which stands above the crypt of Saint Mark, featuring a three-day preparation period, the procession of the Saint's image, and solemn holy masses.

The Madonna del Buon Consiglio

The following day, April 26th, Ruffano honors the Madonna del Buon Consiglio (Our Lady of Good Counsel), whose devotion is rooted in an ancient legend linking her to the image of the "Lady of Shkodër" that arrived from Albania. The local confraternity upholds this tradition with a solemn program of masses, the Eucharistic exposition of the Forty Hours, and the grand evening procession, accompanied by renowned Salento brass bands and concluded by spectacular firework displays.

Flavors and popular traditions

The festival is also an opportunity to gather around traditional flavors. The signature dish of these days is scapece, small fried fish marinated in vinegar with breadcrumbs and saffron, served in homes and at market stalls. Amidst lights, fairground rides set up in the small squares, and food stands, the event combines faith, folklore, and conviviality in one of the most authentic expressions of popular culture in the Salento region of Puglia.