The Holy Mountain
The sanctuary of San Michele in Monte Sant’Angelo it’s a cave in which in the fifth century it’s believed has appeared the Archangel, this generated since then an intense pilgrimage.
From the oldest to the most contemporary sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo, the city of Padre Pio, the monk whose miracle has brought his tomb to be visited by six million faithful people
The Castles
First stop would be the Manfredonia Castle, seat of the National Archaeological Museum, house of the famous Stele Daune, an ancient burial with the description of the life of our ancestors. Then could be a visit of the castle Bovino from 1575 and for three centuries used as residence from the Duke Guevara.
The Archaeology
It starts from Herdonia (today Ordona) along the Via Traiana, relevant late ancient city of Daunia where important archaeological excavations have returned to us the walls, the remains of two temples of a basilica, the forum and the amphitheatre.
Other not less important in Castel Fiorentino, death place of the Emperor Frederick of Swabia and even in Mattinata where 5000 finds of a passionate archaeologist are still preserved.
The Natural Environment
15000 hectares of “Forest of shadows” (Foresta Umbra), Nordic and very impressive, with hiking trails, a botanical reserve, animals such as deers and fallow deers in the middle of the amazing National Park of Gargano.
The Lesina and Varano lakes, the kingdom of fish farming (especially eels), the first is salty because it communicates with the sea, the second of fresh water, separated from the sea by a sandbar called island.
20 km from the coast there are the Tremiti Islands (San Nicola, San Domino, Crevasse, Capraia), reached by hydrofoil and ferry.
The Feast of the Sea
The sea is at the centre of the popular folklore in the procession dedicated to Santa Maria di Merino, Vieste.
On May 9th, the parade skirts the sea from the Cathedral to the Sanctuary of Merino carrying the statue of Our Lady on the beach side with the face toward the Adriatic Sea. Back to the cathedral the face is turned toward the land, the countryside, so between land and sea, allowing Our Lady to bless the water and harvest too.
The streets of Wine
Main varietal are the Aglianico, Montepulciano and Nero di Troia.
The oldest dop (denomination origin protected) of the region is the San Severo. White, rosé and red are produced mainly in the territory of San Severo, Torremaggiore, San Paolo Civitate. The red is excellent with delicious local meat dishes, from lamb to rabbit and ragù. Great wine for meats (especially game) are the Cerignola as well as the Nero di Troia; of remarkable quality are also the Ortanova and the Cacc’e mmitte from Lucera.