Santi Medici Fair and Festival (SS. Cosma e Damiano)
The patronal feast of SS. Cosma e Damiano in Uggiano la Chiesa, blending faith, commerce, and Salento tradition
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Santi Medici Uggiano
An ancient devotion in the heart of Salento
The Santi Medici Fair and Festival, dedicated to SS. Cosma and Damiano, is the most cherished patronal feast in Uggiano la Chiesa, a town of just over four thousand inhabitants in the province of Lecce, in the lower Salento region of Puglia. The two saints, physicians of Eastern origin, are venerated as anargyroi, meaning healers who provided their services without asking for money: a figure of charity that still ignites a powerful devotion throughout the Salento territory today.
The legend and the chapel of the miracle
Uggiano tradition links the festival to a miraculous episode: according to popular lore, the two saints appeared on a rainy night to a merchant struggling with his cart, assisting him before revealing their identity. On the site of the miracle, a chapel dedicated to the Santi Medici was built, which remains a pilgrimage destination and the destination of the annual solemn procession. Devotees attribute special graces and physical and spiritual healings to the Saints of Uggiano, as evidenced by the numerous ex voto offerings displayed during the festival days.
Faith and liturgy
The religious heart of the festival unfolds during the last week of September, centered around the liturgical feast day of September 26th. The sacred program includes the anointing of the sick in the parish church, solemn vespers, the procession to the chapel of the miracle, and the solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided over by the Archbishop of Otranto, in addition to the numerous Masses held throughout the feast day.
The fair and the popular festival
Alongside the devotional aspect, the festival preserves its historic market fair, with stalls, artisan stands, and typical Salento products enlivening the town streets. The evenings are dedicated to entertainment: musical performances, town square concerts, traditional travelling brass bands, activities for children, and the famous fireworks that close the festival days. It is a collective ritual that, between the sacred and the profane, strengthens the identity of this corner of Puglia and reunites entire families and returning visitors.
An event to experience
Participating in the Santi Medici festival means immersing yourself in the authentic popular religiosity of Salento: the illuminations lighting up the historic center, the scent of sweets and fair products, the sound of brass bands, and the emotion of the procession create a unique atmosphere that captures the true soul of Uggiano la Chiesa in just a few days.
Santi Medici Uggiano — edition 2026
The dates for the 2026 edition of the Santi Medici festival in Uggiano la Chiesa have not yet been officially announced. Following the trend of previous editions, the event is expected during the last week of September, coinciding with the liturgical memorial of SS. Cosma e Damiano (September 26th). The program, organized by the Comitato Cittadino SS Medici Uggiano la Chiesa, is expected to include liturgical celebrations, a procession to the chapel of the miracle, a market fair, town square concerts, brass bands, and a fireworks display. To find out the official dates and line-up, please follow the Committee's social media channels.
Practical information — Santi Medici Uggiano
Where
Uggiano la Chiesa (LE), lower Salento. Celebrations take place in the parish church, the Santi Medici chapel, and the Santi Medici Park, while the fair and performances animate the streets and squares of the center.
How to get there
By car: take the SS 275 towards Maglie-Otranto, exit for Uggiano la Chiesa. By train: Maglie or Otranto station (Ferrovie del Sud Est line), then bus connections. Nearest airport: Brindisi-Salento, approximately 90 km away.
When and costs
The festival traditionally takes place in the last week of September. Free entry to the fair, procession, and performances. For updated dates and programs, we recommend following the social media channels of the Comitato Cittadino SS Medici Uggiano la Chiesa.
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Where does it take place — Santi Medici Uggiano
Parco Santi Medici e centro storico