free event

NB Confirm the final date on official website here before travelling (at the time of listing, date was provisional)

The Fòcara (a 25 meter high bonfire) is a tradition that dates back well over three hundred years. The bonfire is expertly built by around a hundred volunteers and local master builders from roughly 100,000 bundles of vine shoots which have been cleared from the local vineyards. These hardworking dudes have to stand on various rungs of ladders for hours on end until all the bundles have been put together by the master "pignunai" (the guy who knows the secret technique that stops everything from collapsing). Finally, an effigy of the saint (Sant’Antonio Abate I believe) is placed on top. Then they burn the lot.

If you like a bit of pyro (and let me tell you a lot of people in Salento do) this is the perfect festival for you. In addition to the bonfire, there’s obviously plenty of food, music and dancing, as well as a large firework display.

The lighting of the bonfire takes place through an installation of pyrotechnics and, as soon as it is lit, its fire burns throughout the night while the square is filled with thousands of people who spend their time dancing to the rhythm of Salento popular music. Furthermore, what is particularly fascinating is the spectacle of the "fasciddre", the characteristic sparks which, hovering lightly in the air, create what is called ‘pioggia di fuoco’ (the rain of fire).

Video below from a past edition