Villa Castelli Carnival

A Carnival with over seventy years of history

The Villa Castelli Carnival is one of the town's longest-running popular events, with a tradition spanning over seven decades, dating back to the 1950s. In this small town in the Province of Brindisi, nestled between the Murgia hills and the Salento plains, the Carnival has always been a collective celebration involving entire families, associations, and local districts.

The early editions were quite different from today: the parade consisted of horse-drawn carts and wagons, accompanied by folk musicians and simple masks. It was customary to stop at cellars and taverns to drink a glass of wine and improvise jokes and rhymes in the local dialect, in a form of spontaneous street theater. Many of these atmospheres are documented by historical photographs preserved in the town's Archaeological Museum.

The allegorical float parade

The heart of the event is the parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups that winds through the streets and squares of Villa Castelli's historic center. The floats, crafted in the months leading up to the event by local families and associations using papier-mâché techniques and great artisanal care, feature different themes each year, ranging from satire and mythology to history and current events.

• Large animated allegorical floats built by local groups
• Costumed groups with choreography and music
• Entertainment with DJs and live music along the route
• Final awards ceremony for the best floats and most beautiful masks

Popular traditions

The Villa Castelli Carnival preserves several rites typical of Apulian folk culture, such as the traditional funeral procession of the Carnival on Shrove Tuesday, a theatrical moment that symbolically marks the end of the carnival period. Participation is intergenerational: children, young people, and the elderly parade together, making the festival a true identity heritage of the community.

A community event for Villa Castelli

The event is organized by the Municipal Administration of Villa Castelli together with the Pro Loco and numerous local associations, including volunteer groups, schools, and sports clubs that build the floats and organize the costumed groups. It is a free-entry festival designed to enliven the town and showcase the creativity of its inhabitants.

Experiencing Carnival in Puglia

Located a short distance from Grottaglie, Francavilla Fontana, and Ceglie Messapica, Villa Castelli is an ideal stop for those looking to discover an authentic Carnival far from the major tourist circuits. Amidst the colors, music, and typical flavors of the Apulian Carnival, the event offers visitors an immersion into the popular traditions of Puglia and northern Salento.