Schiavonia Festival

A festival in the historic heart of Mottola

The Schiavonia Festival is a summer highlight celebrating the medieval old town of Mottola, a town in the province of Taranto, Puglia. The ancient district has for centuries borne the evocative name of "la Schiavonia": a maze of narrow alleys, low whitewashed houses, and lanes paved with traditional chianche, local stone slabs polished by the passage of time. It is here, between Largo Chiesa Madre, Largo San Nicola, and Largo Mater Domini, that the festival comes to life.

The Schiavonia district

Perched 387 meters above sea level, Mottola is nicknamed the "Balcony over the Ionian Sea" for the splendid panorama that opens up from the village towards the Gulf of Taranto. The historic center, an episcopal seat from the 11th century until 1818, houses the Romanesque-Apulian style Mother Church dedicated to the Assumption, once the cathedral of the diocese, along with the churches of the Immaculate, Carmine, and the Rosary. Walking through Schiavonia during the festival means crossing nearly a thousand years of history, amidst brilliant white views and small squares that transform into open-air stages.

Culture, music, and flavors in the streets

The event is part of the Estate Mottolese calendar, a program of events that the Municipality of Mottola dedicates each year to the summer months with "culture, music, food, cinema, and shows through the city streets." During the Schiavonia Festival, the alleys of the historic center are filled with musical stations, live performances, screenings, food and wine stands featuring local products, and entertainment that involves residents and visitors until late at night.

Who organizes the festival

The event is curated by the Associazione Pro Mottola Enzo Lippolis APS, a local association named after the Mottola-born archaeologist Enzo Lippolis (1956-2018), former director of the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto. The association works to promote the historical heritage and traditions of the village, with the support of the Municipality of Mottola.

Why it's worth visiting

The Schiavonia Festival is an authentic way to discover one of the most characteristic villages of the Taranto Murge: not a massive festival, but a community evening that combines identity, gastronomy, and breathtaking views. For those visiting the Ionian coast of Puglia, it is the ideal opportunity to combine the festival atmosphere with the discovery of the famous rock-hewn churches and ravines that surround Mottola.