San Vito Regional Fair

One of the oldest fairs in Salento

The San Vito Regional Fair is much more than a local event; it is one of the most historic fairs in the entire Terra d'Otranto. Its existence is documented as far back as the 16th century in the inventories of the County of Castro, which note that "a fair was held there on that day, drawing a great crowd," and chronicles from 1781 describe merchants arriving from all over the surrounding area. In Ortelle, a small town in the lower Salento in the Province of Lecce, this centuries-old tradition comes to life every autumn.

When and where

The fair takes place during the week of the fourth Sunday of October, a date so deeply rooted in the collective memory that it no longer needs formal announcements. The heart of the event is Parco San Vito, nestled in the greenery on the outskirts of town, where market stalls, gastronomy, music, and devotion converge for four days.

Or.Vi. pork, the undisputed star

If there is one element that defines the San Vito Fair, it is Or.Vi. pork, a label representing the union of the Ortelle and Vignacastrisi territories. These pigs are raised according to traditional techniques and a specific set of regulations, and they are the true stars of the food stalls: roasted, boiled, stewed, and served as sausages, accompanied by roasted chestnuts and local wine. A zero-mile culinary ritual that attracts thousands of food lovers.

The great Sunday market

On Sunday morning, the town transforms: about 200 street vendors bring the streets to life with stalls selling agricultural products, food, and handicrafts. It is the direct legacy of the ancient fair, when farmers, shepherds, and merchants would gather to trade seeds, buy tools, and stock up on supplies before winter.

Culture, art, and devotion

Alongside the market, the fair offers a rich cultural program: the Exhibition Market, the Agro-Art Review dedicated to local businesses, the «Luigi Martano» Photography Contest, and the Art Day. There is no shortage of traditional Salento folk music, art installations, and moments of devotion, including Holy Masses and the procession of the statue of San Vito. Recognized as an event of regional importance in Puglia, the San Vito Fair remains one of the most authentic identity-defining events in Salento.