Routes

The Gargano Promontoryoffers a number of different and interesting routes.  Suitable for anybody's taste, they make you live a colourful holiday that is always exciting and guides you to discover something new.

Routes are nothing but one of the most beautiful descriptions available about the history, natural beauties and culture of the Gargano.

Throughout these routes we will discover:

• History

Through the Castles of the Capitanata district we will learn that this is a historically rich land. As exemplars of the Medieval past, it indeed hosts some of the most majestic and best preserved castles of the reign of Frederick II such as Castel Fiorentino of Torremaggiore, the Castle of Lucera, the Castle of Manfredonia and the Castle of Monte Sant’Angelo.

.

• Archaeology

A land rich in history and archaeological finds that describe the ancient cultures that populated the Promontory during the centuries. Some of the  finds  date back to the Upper Palaeolithic age such as for example the Paglicci cave where ancient religious rites and customs come back to light. The excavations of  Castel Fiorentino   have brought back to light the domus federiciana with the evident marks of the demolitions and reconstructions carried out during the Angevin period.

• Religion

The Gargano is so ancient that it was one of the first Italian regions to get to know and adopt Christ's message. Evangelization was carried out by the local sailors who had commercial relations with the East. The Gargano became the safe shelter and cradle of Christianityand a new civilization flourished among caves and precipices. At least two hundred necropolis testify the vast exchange network between the religious communities who met to pray and learn.
The Gargano promontory has always had, and still has, a central role in the Capitanata (as the province of Foggia is called) because of the stream of pilgrims that have been climbing the "Sacred Mountain" for 1500 years, looking for peace and solace for the soul. Pilgrimages can be divided into two periods: the first, ancient age (from the 5th century to the beginning of the 20th century), which ended 50 years ago and whose focus was the cave sanctuary of the Archangel Michael in Monte Sant'Angelo; the second age, from 50 years ago until now, whose focus is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria degli Angeli where Padre Pio of Pietrelcina lived and where his "tomb" stands.

• Folklore and Traditions

The  Gargano Promontory  has always been characterized by time-honoured traditions evident in both the folk events and the local cuisine. In particular, the “fire” has always dominated fairs and folk events. Bonfires are the point of contact between the pagan and Christian traditions. Thanks to the splendid isolation of this area, mainly due to its inaccessibility, for centuries people from the Gargano have been distinguishing for their innate creativity and manual ability. The local crafts are the most spontaneous and charming expression of these virtues: with a wide range of products originating from the traditions of ancient civilizations still alive today, the crafts of the Gargano have a close connection with rural life, and with the customs and traditions of shepherds. Ancient customs and crafts are still handed down from father to son, from generation to generation: it is the case of ceramics, lace, wrought iron and wood.

• Cuisine

On the Gargano Promontory  you will find many fresh local products such as tomatoes, asparagus and other vegetables often used for local dishes, the famous preserves or for the famous vegetables packed in olive oil.

• The Coast

Exploring and discovering the coast of the Gargano promontory means getting lost among its wonderful caves, taking a rest near the lakes surrounded by vegetation in the National Park of the Gargano, rediscovering the sea and the bays of the Tremiti Islands, as well as  the  wonderful beaches and the trabucchi (local wooden constructions once used for fishing) typical of the Gargano coast.
 

• Nature and Environment

Thanks to the National Park of the Gargano and to the structure of the promontory you will have the opportunity to set out to discover the flora and fauna typical of this area, admiring their spectacular colour effects. The sea wraps around the mountains, whose tops are coloured green by high woods, and enters the deep creeks and caves of spectacular shapes. You will enjoy the peace of the mountains and the relaxation of the sea by immersing in nature, far away from the noise and stress of the city.