Il Gargano It is a territory that preserves the traces of a fascinating and mysterious medieval past. During the Middle Ages, it was the scene of battles, pilgrimages and cultural exchanges, leaving behind a legacy of fortified villages, imposing castles and sanctuaries rich in history. Today, walking through its streets means embarking on a journey through time, to discover a unique historical heritage.
Gargano in the Middle Ages: the symbolic places
Vieste: “The Lost One”
In the Middle Ages, Vieste was an important strategic and commercial centre. Its Old Town, Old Vieste, It still retains the charm of that era with its narrow streets and white houses overlooking the sea.
Dominating the city, the mighty Castello Svevo, built in XI century and subsequently expanded by Frederick II of Swabia in the 13th century, bears witness to the military past of Vieste. The castle, together with the numerous coastal towers, served to protect the city from the Saracen raids that threatened the coast.
Monte Sant'Angelo: A UNESCO Site Between Faith and Power
Monte Sant'Angelo It is one of the most important medieval places in Gargano, known for its famous Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo. This sanctuary, carved into the rock, is one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Europe and is part of the UNESCO site “Lombards in Italy: Places of Power (568-774 AD)”.
During the rule of the Longobardi, the sanctuary became a major pilgrimage center and symbol of their devotion to San Michele Arcangelo, considered the warrior saint par excellence. Pilgrims from all over Europe travelled the routes of the Via Francigena to venerate the Archangel, strengthening the link between spirituality and political power.
This sacred place was also one of the points of the line Micaelica, a devotional path dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo.
The “Angel's Path”, which follows a mysterious straight line that crosses Europe, passing through sacred places such as the Mont Saint-Michel in France and the Sacra di San Michele in Piedmont, it reached as far as Gargano and Mount Carmel in Palestine. This spiritual itinerary was travelled by pilgrims, crusaders and knights who entrusted themselves to the protection of Saint Michael before leaving for the Holly Land.
Monte Sant'Angelo still retains its Norman-Swabian castle, which was expanded by the Lombards and subsequently by Frederick II, becoming a bastion of defense and strategic control.
Vico del Gargano: The Village of Love
Beyond the woods of Umbra Forest hides Vico del Gargano, one of the best preserved medieval villages. Its Old Town it is a maze of alleys, arches and stairways, including the famous Kiss Alley, symbol of romanticism and tradition. The village was protected by the Norman Castle, which dominated the country and ensured defense against invaders.
The Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano
Not far from Monte Sant'Angelo, stands the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano, built in 591 on the remains of a pagan temple dedicated to Calchas. In 1129, thanks to Saint John of Matera and its Pulsano Congregation, the abbey returned to shine, becoming the seat of theOrder of the Poor Hermits of Pulsano.
Thanks to its isolated and silent position, it attracted numerous monks and hermits who, over the centuries, dug into the surrounding rocks over 20 hermitages, today part of the suggestive Hermitages Park of Pulsano, symbol of a deep bond between spirituality and nature.
Manfredonia: The Gateway to the Swabian Gargano
Founded in Thirteenth century da Manfred of Swabia, son of Frederick II, Manfredonia It was born as a strategic and commercial centre to control the Gulf and the maritime routes. The medieval heart of the city is represented by the mighty Swabian-Angevin Castle, built to defend the city from enemy attacks.
Manfredonia became an important hub thanks to its coastal position and its ports. The Swabian influence is still visible today in the castle walls and in the streets of the historic center, which tell of a glorious and strategic past.
Other extraordinary examples of medieval religious architecture in the Gargano are theAbbey of San Leonardo of Siponto andAbbey of Santa Maria di Siponto, both located near Manfredonia.
THEAbbey of San Leonardo of Siponto, founded between theXI and the Twelfth century, is a magnificent example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, famous for its extraordinary decorated façade and for a unique phenomenon: every year, the 21nd June, a ray of sun passes through a hole in the dome perfectly illuminating the centre of the nave.
No less fascinating is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore of Siponto, built in Twelfth century near the remains of an ancient early Christian basilica.
The archaeological park has been enhanced by the impressive artistic installation of the contemporary artist Edoardo Tresoldi which reconstructs the original structure of the early Christian basilica in wire mesh. The work integrates perfectly with the archaeological remains, creating a dialogue between past and present.
Peschici: the castle overlooking the sea
Among the medieval villages of Gargano, Peschici stands out for its spectacular position, perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic. This city was founded by the Slavic people of the Schiavoni, called by Emperor Otto I to liberate the Gargano by the Saracens, around the year 970 AD.
The symbol of Peschici is its Norman Castle, built specifically to monitor the sea and protect the territory. The fortress, with its sturdy walls and watchtowers, was an integral part of the Gargano defensive system, visually connected to the numerous coastal towers.
The historic center of Peschici preserves its medieval charm with its narrow streets, stone arches and white houses perched on the rock. Here you can still breathe the atmosphere of the past, between maritime traditions and ancient legends.
A few kilometers from Peschici, immersed in the uncontaminated nature of the Gargano, stands the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria di Kalena, one of the oldest and most fascinating religious monuments in all of Puglia. Its origins date back at least to theVIII century, although some sources suggest that the complex may have been founded as early as 6th century by the Benedictine monks.
The Abbey of Monte Sacro
On the heights of Gargano, immersed in the woods between Morning e Monte Sant'Angelo, the ancient one is located Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Monte Sacro. Founded in theXI century by the Benedictine monks, it stands on the remains of an ancient pagan temple dedicated to Jupiter Dodoneus.
This sacred place was an important medieval spiritual center, frequented by monks and pilgrims seeking meditation. Today, the ruins of the abbey emerge in a breathtaking natural setting, a symbol of the fusion between spirituality and nature.
The Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare on the Tremiti Islands
Even the remote ones tremiti Islands they guard a medieval jewel: theAbbey of Santa Maria a Mare on the island of San Nicola. Founded between the 1045 and the 1055 by the Benedictine monks of Montecassino, the abbey was not only a place of worship but also a defensive fortress, essential to protect the archipelago from pirate attacks. The Romanesque church and its fortified walls still tell stories of faith and resistance.
Daily Life in Medieval Gargano
Life in medieval Gargano was marked by the rhythms of nature and the presence of religious and feudal institutions. The small villages lived on agriculture, fishing and sheep farming.
Relations between the various centres were guaranteed by mule tracks and ancient roads that connected the inland towns with the coast.
The communities were often threatened by invasions and pirate raids, especially during the period of Saracen raids. This led to the construction of sighting towers, some of which still stand majestically along the Gargano coast.
A Medieval Heritage to Discover
Visiting the medieval Gargano means immersing yourself in a territory rich in history, where every stone tells of knights, monks, pilgrims and legends. The villages, castles and sanctuaries are witnesses of a glorious past, which has helped to forge the identity of this unique land. A journey through time, to discover a historical and cultural heritage that continues to live in the heart of the Gargano.