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The term "Gargano" comes from the ancient Greek "Gargaros" which means "mountain of stone".

The Gargano has been at the center of an evolutionary and cultural process among the most fruitful in Western Europe: Grotta Paglicci, located in Rignano Garganico, represents in particular a cornerstone for the study of Paleolithic civilization in Europe for the variety of archaeological layers.

During the Middle Ages, the connection between Benevento and Gargano remained one of the main constants and favored the religious and economic development of the Gargano centers.

The reconquest of the Gargano by the Byzantine Empire between the ninth and tenth centuries encouraged the rise of a true rock civilization, witnessed by the birth of many villages scattered and evident in the historic centers of Peschici, Vico del Gargano and Monte Sant'Angelo.

With the Swabians Manfredi, in the Gargano, built in 1256 a real city, Manfredonia: the massacres are still alive in memory in 1620, when this city was occupied by the Turks and burned down.

Very serious were the damages caused by the Gargano earthquake of 1646, with loss of thousands of lives.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, life began to manifest forms of life responding to a more modern and civilized society. At the same time, however, the economy of some towns, especially Rodi Garganico suffered a major collapse due to the Cold War that reduced to zero the intense and centuries-old trade relations that linked the town to Dalmatia.

Gargano, also known as the Spur of Italy, is an area that forms the so-called heel of the Italian boot. It is completely surrounded by the Adriatic Sea and is located near the province of Foggia. Gargano is the main tourist place in Puglia along with Salento. It also includes an important National Park.

Places to visit :  Tremiti Islands,  Old Town of Vieste,  Marine Caves, Old Town of Peschici, Arch of San Felice, Umbrian Forest, Vignanotica Beach, Trabucco of San Lorenzo.

Tremiti Islands:

Tremiti Islands are an archipelago of the Adriatic Sea, located 12 nautical miles north of the Gargano promontory. The archipelago consists of the islands of:

Saint Domino, larger, from the beautiful coast, on which are located the main tourist facilities thanks to the presence of the only sandy beach of the archipelago

Saint Nicholas, on which resides most of the population and are located the main monuments of the archipelago

Capraia (also called Caprara or Capperaia), uninhabited.

Pianosa, a rocky plateau also completely uninhabited and about twenty kilometers from the other islands.

Old town of Vieste:

The old town of Vieste is very old and valuable, full of buildings in light stone and eroded by the sea breeze. The city is nicknamed the Pearl of Gargano and is part of the famous Gargano National Park. Vieste is also considered a bathing town, as it has beautiful beaches. Its old part especially bewitches and amazes with its beauty of other times.

Boat tour to the sea caves:

The sea caves of Vieste are a unique attraction, which you can access only with the boat. Some motorships organize excursions, so as to allow tourists to admire in their maximum splendor the famous caves. The shades of clear water are wonderful and the play of light and shadow that are created by the openings in the rocks are unmissable.

Old town of Peschici

Peschici is a town worth visiting, especially for the preciousness of its historic center. Unlike Vieste, Peschici is a town of only 4000 inhabitants and therefore less frequented. It is part of the Mountain Community of Gargano, but despite this it is a famous bathing area, rich in places of tourism and beaches equipped

Arch of San Felice

The Arch of San Felice is a natural arch carved into the rock by natural elements and is located near Vieste. The arch opens the so-called Bay of San Felice, a promontory full of greenery, surrounded by a clear and wonderful sea. The view is really impressive and it is absolutely worth visiting.

Umbra Forest

The Umbra Forest is located within the Gargano National Park, one of the most beautiful places in Italy, rich in natural habitats and a large selection of landscapes. Within the Park you can find some villages, many lakes and bizarre rock formations, as well as beautiful beaches. The Umbrian Forest in particular is a very old forest, dating back hundreds of millions of years ago. The forest is very dense and barely is crossed by the sun rays, resulting very impressive

Vignanotica beach

Vignanotica beach follows the provincial road that arrives to Vieste. The suggestive panorama is given by the presence of calcareous cliffs of a shining white overlooking the sea. In the small coves on the sides of the stacks you can find both free and equipped beaches. From the shore the water is high and suitable for couples of adults, more than for families with children

Trabucco di San Lorenzo

The trabucco of Baia San Lorenzo, near Vieste is an ancient example of fishing machine, completely renovated. The structure supported tight mesh fishing nets, which trapped the fish and facilitated coastal fishing. Today the trebuchets are no longer used for fishing, but they remain a very strong symbol in the local tradition

Religious architecture:

Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo:

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 and is located in Monte Sant Angelo, in the province of Foggia. From a religious point of view, this shrine should be considered as a minor basilica. The complex is very old and charming, built on several levels and includes a cave, from which you can access the crypts. The sanctuary boasts some works by Sansovino and has received European awards.

Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano:

The abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano and its hermitages are part of the landscape of Gargano. Protected by the FAI, the abbey itself seems to be part of the rock on which it was built. The main complex is surrounded by numerous hermitages, once used as places of reflection, so inaccessible that they can be reached only with the help of ropes.

What to do:

•SEA

The Gargano is a land of sensations, physical and spiritual emotions to live in depth, immersed in the wonderful sceneries that are found here.

In terms of beaches and beauties related to the sea the Gargano can definitely be considered a perfect destination, the coast faces north in the north and down curve turning to the east and then to the south. There is no shortage of great beaches, such as that of Lido del Sole, a hamlet of Rodi Garganico.

Moreover, starting from the marina of Vieste it is possible to make boat trips to discover the less accessible but more suggestive stretches of the coast.

A way to observe the Gargano from another point of view.

LAKE:

In the territory of Gargano there are two coastal lakes, Lake Lesina and Lake Varano. The stories and legends will do the rest.

The locals will talk about ancient Uriah, a town sunk in a stormy night because of the sins committed by its inhabitants and the solitary Crucifix of Varano rising from the water will leave you speechless.

MOUNTAIN:

Not far from Peschici, among the cracks of the rock of Monte Pucci, an ancient mystery, discovered by chance by some breeders.

What seemed to be a complex of natural caves due to karst, turned out to be a necropolis.

Since the day of its discovery numerous studies have been carried out and excavations have brought to light many hypogea well visible and visited by taking a walk in the hills. A guided tour will be able to better understand who used this necropolis and will help to better know the history and the Gargano tradition.

Going even higher up, a truly unmissable place is the Foresta Umbra, a very dense forest that has singular characteristics, very different from those of the Mediterranean maquis.

Villages:

Monte Sant'Angelo, a village of white houses perched on the limestone mountain.

It is a striking sight to see them from afar, but walking through those walls is a feeling that is not easily forgotten.

Monte Sant'Angelo is also one of the two municipalities that host very important places of worship.

Here, in fact, is the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, incredibly carved into the rock and arrived to us after centuries of neglect.

Not far away is San Giovanni Rotondo, a town where Padre Pio lived and where today there is the imposing modern sanctuary dedicated to the saint, a place perhaps not appreciated by all, but certainly a destination for many pilgrims and faithful who come here in search of a guide.

Other places:

Pizzomunno - One of the most beautiful and evocative sites in Italy, in that Pizzomunno that means "tip of the world" translating from the ancient Apulian. But it could also be called "end of the world" as the area is beautiful and favorable to human settlement for the climate, the wooded mountains, the sea, as well as the magnificent gifts of nature for food.

Events:

Festivals:

the Sperone d'Italia invites tourists to touch its authenticity with their own hands through the most beautiful festivals of the Gargano. Considering how every small center of this area is used to organize events in which you can enjoy traditional recipes in a welcoming context.

Here are some examples:

in Cagnano Varano, usually a few days before the August, is held the usual "Sagra del pesce e dei prodotti tipici".

in Rodi Garganico, however, usually in conjunction with the feast of Liberation, there is the usual "Festival of Oranges", a moment of celebration in which this precious citrus is celebrated.

Rignano Garganico, instead, in the first days of the second decade of August is staged the "Festival of the cow and the podolico caciocavallo", an opportunity to know these local excellences.

Patron celebrations:

which take place in the Gargano

examples:

Vico del Gargano, 14 February, the "Feast of Saint Valentine"

Ischitella, 23 April the "Feast of the Crucifix of V." San Marco in Lamis,

25 April, the "Feast of Saint Mark”.

WHAT TO EAT

The gastronomy of Gargano, known for its simplicity, offers a variety of delicacies not to be missed:

the muscisca: strips of sheep meat or beef, seasoned with chilli, wild fennel and garlic, then dried. To be enjoyed this way or roasted.

2. the paposcia, a pan-focaccia with an elongated shape cooked in a wood-fired oven and stuffed with cold cuts and various cheeses, or tomato and mozzarella, ...

3. the caciocavallo, a seasoned cheese typical of southern Italy in the shape of the number 8; here it can be tasted in the variant with milk from cows of the Podolica breed, raised in a semi-wild state.

4. the field beans, hot dish made of shelled broad beans and chicory

5. the Ciambotta, fish soup consisting of a variety of seafood and fish

Before leaving, enrich your suitcases with the various typical products of the promontory including olives, honey, olive oil and a wide selection of cheeses (scamorze, ricotta cheese, cacio ricotta).

CURIOSITY

Impossible not to notice, walking through the streets of the towns of the promontory, the rich and varied production of ceramic and wooden objects: terracotta whistles, decorated plates, amphorae, vases. Some craftsmen skilled in combining professionalism and manual skills, bring back to life ancient crafts, reproducing characteristic objects such as  trabucchi  (wooden scaffolding once used for fishing) or the  curlo  (wooden spinning top used by children of past generations).

The Gargano promontory is rarely crossed by public transport lines, as the roads are often narrow and cunicular. In addition, many of the beaches are impossible to access by public transport. It is advisable to leave by private transport in order to fully enjoy the experience that this area offers. You can also use rental cars.

Before entering the fast highway of the Gargano, you could take the coastal road and stop at the first village on the north coast of the Gargano, Lesina and in particular the lake of the same name. Originally it was a marine bay closed over the centuries for the debris of the river Fortore. The lake is separated from the sea by a dune called "Bosco Isola" inhabited by numerous birds on its shores (the fratino, the redshank, the grey heron). Particular attention deserves the dark rocks of the Punta Pietre Nere extended in the area as far as the eye can see.

Moving eastwards towards Vieste you will also find the Varano Lake, already known to Pliny the Elder and the largest in southern Italy. The coastal road that you will follow is located on the isthmus that separates the lake from the sea being also this lake of marine origin.

You will reach Rodi Garganico, a seaside town on the sea immersed in a bay perfumed with orange, orange and lemon trees. Built vertically on a small hill has beautiful golden beaches that surround it.

Continuing for a few kilometers you reach San Menaio, a tourist center nestled in a basin enriched by gardens and a beautiful pine forest. A few kilometers further on after a few bends, at the end of each of which there are breathtaking views and unique overhangs, opens the plain of Calenella with a white and quiet cove very private. The road is still full of surprises and in fact the Belvedere di Torre Pucci, built to defend against Saracen raids, is worth a stop. From here you can also visit one of the famous "Trabucchi" scattered along the coast of Gargano.

From one of these views you can glimpse the profile of the city of Peschici, another pearl of the Gargano, stretched out over the sea and perched on a rock with white white houses. The name takes its origin from its particular position (peach tree means sheer cliff).

Continuing towards Vieste following the coastal road Peschici - Vieste you will come across several tourist centers such as Punta di San Nicola, Baia di Manacore where there are many campsites directly on the sea.

The coastal road will lead directly to the main center of the Gargano: Vieste. Ancient center that some identify with the ancient Apeneste eroded by the winds and the sea. Do not miss the beach of Pizzomunno (tip of the world) and on which stands the mythical and mysterious monolith 26 meters high. Still to visit the medieval village, the castle, the basilica, the church of San Francesco, the small square.

From Vieste you start to descend towards the south taking the coastal road Vieste - Mattinata direction Manfredonia. On this wonderful road you will find along the coast a series of caves: the Red Cave, the Major Arch, the Snake's Cave, the Pipistrellifino Cave to get to Pugnochiuso one of the most beautiful places in the Gargano surrounded by caves and beautiful backdrops. Continuing on you meet the famous Baia delle Zagare, an outpost of beautiful natural scenery made of rocks overlooking the sea and shimmering green.

A few more kilometers of road and you will reach Mattinata. Known since the times of Horace this city is an ideal place for those who want to reconcile nature and history. Morning still preserves on Monte Sacro and Monte Saraceno historical vestiges.

You arrive in Mandredonia, founded in the thirteenth century, considered a strategic port with its churches and its castle, now houses the National Archaeological Museum of Gargano, which houses some examples of Daunian stelae.

In the Gargano area there are several public transport lines connecting visitors to the most popular areas of the territory, especially in summer.

In little more than an hour the train service connects Peschici to San Severo, in a route that offers suggestions and breathtaking views. It starts from the station of Calenella (6 km from Peschici) and continues along the coast of Rodi Garganico, among citrus groves and ancient villas. We leave the coast immediately after Rodi Garganico and move on to the rural scenery of the countryside of Vico and Ischitella, still nature, olive groves and karst canyons to the slopes of the historic center of Cagnano Varano and San Nicandro.

Finally, the promontory opens up to the high tavoliere and after San Marco in Lamis here we reach Apricena and the final destination, San Severo.

It is also possible to reach the Tremiti Islands by ferry. You can visit the Tremiti Islands with embarkation from Gargano from the ports of Vieste, Peschici, Rodi Garganico. Ferries are made available by the company Navigazione Libera del Golfo, and places can also be booked through TraghettiLines or TremitiOnline, with packages for the whole family and all needs.

How to reach Gargano by car:

To reach the north of Gargano: take exit A14 Poggio Imperiale and exit A16 Candel to reach San Nicardo Garganico, Lesina, Torre Mileto, Cagnano Varano, Carpino, Peschici and Rodi Garganico.

To reach the center: take exit A14 San Severo and exit A16 Candela to reach San Marco in Lamis, Apricena, Rignano Garganico, San Giovanni Rotondo, the Gargano National Park and the Umbra Forest.

And for the south: take exit A14 Foggia and exit A16 Candela to reach Monte Sant'Angelo, Manfredonia, Mattinella, Mattinata and Vieste.

How to reach Gargano by Train:

The main train stations of the Gargano are San Severo and Foggia. Both of them are well connected with other localities by local trains and buses.

If you arrive in Foggia you can continue to Manfredonia by bus or train. Once in Manfredonia you can take the Ferrovie del Gargano.

If you arrive in San Severo you can continue to Peschici by train, or you can take the Ferrovie del Gargano bus.

How to reach the Gargano by plane:

The closest airports to reach the Gargano are Bari-Palese and Napoli-Capodichino, both of which offer public transportation and car rental services and are about 200 km from the Gargano.

From Bari Airport you can reach the Gargano by bus using the Puglia Air Bus shuttle service that connects the airport with the Promontory.

The Puglia Air Bus operates the route: Bari Palese Airport - Monte Sant'Angelo - Mattinata - Vieste Litoranea - Rodi Garganico/Peschici.

How to reach Gargano by bus:

You can also reach the Gargano by bus from one of the main Italian cities, using the bus service of Ferrovie del Gargano.

The lines depart from: Rome, Pescara, Naples, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, Venice, Turin, Modena, Parma, Milan and Padua.

SAFETY:

Gargano National Park: tel 0884.568911, via Sant'Antonio Abate 121, Monte Sant'Angelo (FG)

Gargano Railways: tel 0882.228960, Monday to Saturday weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00

http://www.ferroviedelgargano.com/it-it/