Holy days > Specchia> February 2, 2010 > The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Specchia (Apulia) - Italy

On March 2, 2010, in Specchia, province of Lecce, the appointment will be the "Feria della Candelora", one of the most ancient and traditional manifestations of the salento, which draws more and more visitors each years.
During this event, which takes place in the following streets : Umberto I, Plebiscito, Piazza del Popolo, Amendolara et Matteotti, it is common to find stands of clothes, food stuff, house utensils, farm machinery, and cattle.
The peasants of the region, only for this occasion, send the "pestanache", sweet carrots, which are used as a vegetable or as a condiment for everyday meals.

The celebration is strongly followed in Specchia, and still respects the past traditions.
The term comes from the Latin "candelorum", which means the benediction of the candles, a Christian use which remains the purification of Maria, 40 days after Jesus' birth.

Specchia is one of the few villages where this tradition is still celebrated, with the blessing of the candles which will be brought to the different houses in order to protect the families.