Solemn Celebrations of Our Lady of Sorrows — Lucugnano

An ancient festival in the heart of lower Salento

Every year, on the third Sunday of September, the hamlet of Lucugnano—a small village in the Municipality of Tricase, in the Province of Lecce—gathers around its patron saint for the Solemn Celebrations of Our Lady of Sorrows. It is one of the most deeply felt religious and popular events in lower Salento, drawing faithful, curious onlookers, and visitors into the narrow streets of one of the oldest towns in this part of Puglia.

The center of devotion is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose church was completed in 1763 and opened for worship in April 1764. Its simple facade, featuring two empty niches on either side of the portal, holds a unique history: in 1770, the building was closed by order of King Ferdinand IV following the occurrence of events deemed miraculous, which solidified its reputation as a sacred place in the community's memory.

The religious program

The festivities are preceded by a seven-day preparation period (settenario), featuring the recitation of the Rosary and evening Holy Mass at the Sanctuary. The eve includes a late afternoon Mass and the solemn procession through the village streets, accompanied by brass bands and concluding with fireworks at the Calvary. On the main day, Sunday, Holy Masses are celebrated every hour in the morning at the Sanctuary, followed by a solemn Mass at the Mother Church and an afternoon service. Devotion continues until the Octave, the following Sunday, with another procession from the Mother Church to the Calvary and further fireworks.

The Great Traditional Fair

Alongside the religious dimension, the festival preserves its famous Great Traditional Fair, one of the most characteristic in the Capo di Leuca area. Along the streets surrounding the church, stalls display the ancient crafts that made Lucugnano famous: wrought iron artifacts—beds, gates, railings, and balustrades—and exquisite woven wicker items, such as baskets and bags. There is no shortage of stalls offering typical Apulian and Salento products, local handicrafts, and street food, making the fair a perfect opportunity to rediscover the region's traditional know-how.

Music, lights, and village atmosphere

The days of the festival are marked by music: brass band concerts that accompany the rites and the procession, the band resonating through the village streets, and evening concerts in the square, with ensembles and tribute bands enlivening the night. Illuminations draw geometries of light above the streets, while the traditional Serata dell'Allegria (Evening of Joy) kicks off the festivities in a convivial atmosphere. A visit to the festival is also the perfect chance to explore the village, including the famous Palazzo Comi, home of the poet Girolamo Comi, and to breathe in the identity of an authentic corner of Salento Puglia.