Immerse yourself, our culture and traditions with a rich programme of events that take place all through the year: the “Presepi Viventi” at Christmas, the rites of the Holy Week in Taranto; the very long Carnevale of Putignano, the Carnevale in Massafra, the performance of the Disfida of Barletta, the historical parade of the Torneo dei Rioni in Oria, the sea parade on boats of San Cataldo in Taranto, the La Caravella Fair of S. Nicola in Bari, the summer village fairs, etc. Among the main cultural events are the Festival della Valle d’Itria and the Annual Meeting on Magna Graecia.

Puglia is a land full of traditions and religious feasts, which bring together the main expression of its folklore. The patron saints’ days are celebrated in each settlement with processions, torchlight parades, and fireworks, against a backdrop of market stalls.
Then there are particular rites and traditions whose roots are to be found in other historical moments and have significant historical-anthropological importance.
In Novoli an enormous pile of wood called la Fòcara, the height of a building with galleries inside it is burnt for S. Antonio Abate on 17th January. In Castellana Grotte they are called fanove and fracchie in San Marco in Lamis. Another characteristic event is the charming historical procession of Frederick II in Oria with the Palio dei Rioni. The great Swabian monarch is remembered here in his favourite land with his court of Saracens, Germans, Jews, nobles and notables of all kinds, who go in processions amongst the celebrating people wearing glittering costumes.
The Holy Week rituals have roots that stretch far back in time, and deep into the spirit of the people. During the days that follow, every church holds religious functions that are integrated or completed by artistic religious manifestations to commemorate Christ’s death.

Madonna della Madia (Monopoli – 14/15th August – 16th December)

At the beginning of the 12th century work was underway on the cathedral in Monopoli but had stopped as there was insufficient wood to finish the roof.
The Vescovo prayed to the Madonna for help and, early in the hours of the 16th of December 1117, a local villager dreamt that the Madonna came to him and told him that the Vescovo must go down to the beach.
He ran to tell the Vescovo three times but was twice turned away. Eventually the Vescovo went down to the sea and found that a huge wooden raft bearing a Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child had washed up on the shore.
The timbers were used to construct the roof and the icon took pride of place in the cathedral where it can be seen today.Every year this “miracle” is celebrated with a renactment of the events (also in August for some reason), townfolk gather en masse to watch the raft appear by sea, representatives from all the local churches process in full regalia and there is music, prayers and, to round it all off, fireworks. The experience is truly magical.

Arts and crafts

Many traditional arts and crafts are still produced, skills being passed onto younger generations. Wool, cotton, linen items in traditional and embroidered designs are made and sold locally in the gift shops.
Crafts using the special “Chiancarelle” stone found in the quarries in the Apulian countryside are used to make miniature Trulli and souvenirs.
Ceramics and pottery are produced in the town of Grottaglie and are known for their famous cock motif, and many items are still made from from olive and cherry tree wood.