Trozzelle Festival

The Trozzelle Festival in Vaste

The Trozzelle Festival, also known as the Trozzelle Fair, is one of the most distinctive summer events in Vaste, a small village in the municipality of Poggiardo, in the Province of Lecce, deep in the heart of Salento. The event was created to showcase a true symbol of local identity: the trozzella, the characteristic Messapian-era vase used by ancient local populations, which has been recovered in numerous archaeological findings across the Vaste area.

A festival rooted in archaeology

Vaste is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Salento, boasting a rich heritage from the Messapian and Roman eras. The festival weaves this connection to the past into its program: during the event, the Archaeological Museum remains open for special visits, and exhibitions of trozzelle and ceramics are organized to recount the history and crafting techniques of these ancient artifacts. The event thus becomes an opportunity to rediscover the village's Messapian roots in a festive, popular atmosphere.

Crafts, flavors, and music

The streets and squares of the historic center, with Piazza Dante as the main hub, fill with artisan and hobbyist stalls, while gastronomic stands offer traditional Salento dishes: from cranu stumpatu (crushed wheat typical of peasant cuisine) to roasted meats, all paired with local products. The evenings are enlivened by live music, with concerts and groups performing pizzica and Salento folk music, turning the square into a grand open-air celebration.

A local event

The Trozzelle Festival is organized by the Circolo Cittadino Ricreativo di Vaste, with the patronage of the Municipality of Poggiardo and the support of local associations. It is part of the Sere d'Estate (Summer Evenings) calendar that enlivens Poggiardo and Vaste during the summer months. After a few years' hiatus, the event returned with its twenty-third edition, confirming its status as one of the most anticipated appointments of the Salento summer.

Vaste and Salento

Hosted in one of the most evocative villages of the Salento hinterland, the festival is also an invitation to discover Vaste and Poggiardo, exploring churches, Byzantine crypts, the Park of the Warriors, and the remnants of a thousand-year history. Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: the event traditionally takes place in August.