Copertino, Italy

Cupertino and Copertino, Lecce, Italy, share a unique connection that dates back to 1776. A Spanish cartographer traveling through California’s Santa Clara Valley named a local stream Arroyo San José de Cupertino in honor of Saint Joseph of Copertino.

This established a tradition, leading to Copertino being recognized as Cupertino's first sister city in 1963. This was during a visit by then-Cupertino Mayor John Benetti to Copertino, which coincided with the 300th anniversary of Saint Joseph’s death. The relationship deepened in 2013 when then Vice Mayor Gilbert Wong visited Copertino to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Saint Joseph’s death, alongside the 50th anniversary of their Sister City partnership.

An annual student exchange program has been established. This program began in 2016, when a group of six eighth-grade students from St. Joseph of Cupertino School spent a week with host families in Cupertino. In 2024, Cupertino welcomed three students from Copertino for a week-long stay.

The Cupertino-Copertino Sister City Association oversees the student exchange program and other related activities.

More Info

Cupertino Copertino Sister Cities Association on Facebook