Sant'Oronzo Festival

A patronal feast in the heart of fortified Salento

The Sant'Oronzo Festival is the most cherished event of the year for the community of Acaya, a small hamlet in the municipality of Vernole, located in the province of Lecce in the heart of the Apulian Salento. Every year, on the first Sunday of September, the ancient village renews its deep-rooted devotion to its patron saint, Sant'Oronzo, the first bishop and martyr of Lecce.

The village of Acaya, a Renaissance jewel

The festival is set against a truly unique backdrop. Acaya is the only example of a Renaissance-planned fortified citadel in Southern Italy: its defensive walls, bastions, and castle were designed in the 16th century by the architect and military engineer Gian Giacomo dell'Acaya, under the service of Charles V. The only entrance to the historic center is the Porta Sant'Oronzo, named after the statue of the saint carved in Lecce stone that sits atop it, placed there in 1692 by Andrea Vernazza, the lord of the fiefdom at the time. It is no surprise, then, that the entire community is deeply connected to the figure of Sant'Oronzo, so much so that the municipality of Vernole has officially recognized itself among the Oronzian cities.

Religious devotion and folk tradition

The heart of the festivities remains the religious dimension, overseen by the Maria SS. Assunta Parish. The most solemn moment is the procession that carries the image of the bishop and martyr through the village streets, followed with great participation by the local population and civil and military authorities. Alongside the liturgy, the festival showcases all the elements of the finest Salento traditions: the luminarie (artistic light displays) that create arches of light over the narrow streets enclosed by the walls, the brass band concert in the square, and, to close the day, the fireworks display that illuminates the sky above the castle.

Who was Sant'Oronzo

Venerated throughout Salento, Sant'Oronzo is considered the first bishop and protomartyr of Lecce. His devotion has ancient origins and radiates from Lecce to numerous towns in the province, each with its own dates and traditions. In Acaya, the feast falls on the first Sunday of September, distinct from the capital's celebration, preserving the intimate and authentic character of a village festival experienced within a town of just a few hundred inhabitants.

An opportunity to discover Acaya

The Sant'Oronzo Festival is also the ideal time to visit the village: the Acaya Castle, the city walls, the squares, and the alleys made of Lecce stone provide a natural stage for the festivities. Just a few kilometers away, you will find the Adriatic coast of Salento and the Cesine, a WWF nature reserve, which complete the discovery of this corner of Puglia, blending history, faith, and landscape.