San Vito Fair

The San Vito Fair: A Salento Tradition

Every August 11th, the historic center of Presicce-Acquarica, in the province of Lecce, transforms into a large open-air market: this is the San Vito Fair, an event with ancient roots deeply embedded in the farming and mercantile culture of Salento. Stalls line the streets and squares of the town, set against the backdrop of Baroque palaces and courtyard houses that have made Presicce one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

A market that tells the story of the land

The fair preserves the character of ancient Puglian village markets: a long succession of stalls where one can find local products, sweets, textiles, handicrafts, household items, and all sorts of goods. Strolling among the stalls is a way to experience the authentic atmosphere of the village and rediscover the crafts and flavors of the Capo di Leuca tradition.

Presicce-Acquarica, City of Oil and Hypogea

The setting for the fair is one of the most fascinating towns in lower Salento. Created in 2019 from the merger of the municipalities of Presicce and Acquarica del Capo, Presicce-Acquarica is known as the City of Oil and Hypogea: beneath its historic center lie numerous underground olive mills carved into the rock between the 16th and 19th centuries, a testament to the importance of lamp oil production. The town also boasts elegant noble palaces, churches, and Baroque squares.

Devotion and popular celebration

The fair is linked to the figure of Saint Vitus the Martyr, a young saint highly venerated in Southern Italy. As is typical of patronal feasts and fairs in Puglia, the commercial aspect intertwines with devotion and community celebration, attracting residents and visitors from the neighboring towns of the Capo di Leuca.

Why visit

• A traditional market in the heart of one of Italy's most beautiful villages.
• Local products, handicrafts, and flavors of Salento.
• An opportunity to discover the underground olive mills and Baroque architecture of Presicce.
• Free admission and a festive atmosphere for the whole family.

The San Vito Fair takes place in mid-August, at the peak of the Salento summer, and is easily accessible from Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, and the seaside resorts of the Ionian coast.