It’s the historical capital of Gargano and its name derives
from San Michele Arcangelo who is said to have appeared around 492 and 493
a. C.
The worship of San Michele developed around his famous grotto shrine which
has attracted thousands of pilgrims from all around the Europe. Most of
them were popes, emperors and crusaders directed to Jerusalem. Every 29
of September from Vieste a large group of pilgrims walk along the old pathway
of Sammichelari. Besides the Basilica and its octagonal bell-tower, another
monument worth mentioning is the “Tomba di Rotari” and the Santa
Maria Maggiore Church. It’s worth visiting the Art and Tradition Museum
in order to understand the soul of the Gargano people. Along winding streets
you can buy handicraft objects ant typical gastronomy. You can reach by
bike Santa Maria di Pulsano hermitages from where you can have a fascinating
view above the homonymous valley and along its ridges there are the old
cell of hermits. On the way of hermitage you can stop in order to admire
the Pagliari, the Shepard’s’ ancient stone-shelters.
Mattinata
It’s a little town and the agriculture is the most important
aspect of its economy. Recently, with its coasts and woods, it has become
a seaside resort. You have to visit the sea-grottoes which are along the
coast between Mattinata and Vieste. Besides, you can reach by bike Monte
Saraceno where there is an important Daunia Necropolis. Another monument
worth visiting is the Monte Sacro Abbey. Do not forget to visit Sansone’s
Chemistry in the town because an interesting collection of archaeological
remains.
Vico del
Gargano
Its old town is one of the most beautiful of the Gargano. Through
its narrow and cobbled alleyways you perceive the old rhythm of everyday
life. The countryside of the Vico del Gargano is the most interesting of
the promontory and it is rich in citrus groves. In the old town other monuments
are worth visiting: the ancient quarters, the Trappeto Maratea (the ancient
oil-mill), the Palazzo Della Bella, the Cappuccini Convent, famous for the
huge holm-oak, the Suffrage Church and Madre Church hung with citrus fruit
on the 14th of February in honour of St. Valentine. It is worth visiting
iron-age Necropolis near Monte Tabor. You bike up to Monte Pucci, a first
christian Necropolis near the railway station of Calenella. You have to
bike towards the citrus groves near Canneto and then you have to turn on
the left and take a cost road that goes from S. Menaio to Rodi Garganico.
Peschici
Peschici with its Slavonian origins was built atop a rock sharply
down to the sea, such as its ancient place-name “Pesclize” means.
Nowadays a lot of surnames still have the same name on the other side of
Adriatic Sea. It is suggested to visit the narrow alleyways of the old town
going shopping handicraft objects and listening to the local speech. Monuments
worth mentioning are Medieval Castle and th Matrice Church where there is
the Statue of Sant’ Elia the Patron of the city celebrated on the
20th of July. Not far from the town stands the Abbey of Santa Maria di Calena,
you can go by bike there and go on in direction of Rodi Garganico, you can
also stop for a while to Torre Monte Pucci. From here you can see several
Croatians islands at the horizon when the sky is clear. Under the XVI century-spanish
look-out tower there is the Trabucco (an ancient fishing tool). Do not be
allowed to get on it without the permission of the owner and along the coast
up to Vieste there are a dozen of Trabucchi. If you can watch the fishing
from a Trabucco you will see an unforgettable show.
Vieste
The town, built on a rocky promontory at the end of the Gargano,
was inhabited in Palaeolithic times. Popes and emperors left a mark in the
history of the town. But the most dramatic event was the Turkish incursion
of 1554 when a great number of inhabitants were beheaded on a stone which
is still preserved in the old town centre and called “La Chianca Amara”
near the Cathedral. It is worth while starting from the Upper Door (Port
ad Alt) up to the Lower Door (Port d’ Basc’). You will encounter
the Cathedral, the Baptistery (Auditorium S. Giovanni), the Bishop’s
Palace, The Museum and The Medieval Castle. From the Giudecca’s Square
you can see the Church and the Rampart of San Francesco and The Trabucco.
During the summer it is allowed to visit. Before going away, you have to
visit Seggio’s Square where there are: the old sundial, several shops
and craftsmen. Living Vieste by sea you can visit many grottoes along the
north-eastern coast. Furthermore, you bike up to the Archaeological Oasis
“della Salata”, 7,5 km far from Vieste across the coast road
to Peschici. Not so far there are the remains of the ancient “Merinum”
where the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Merino rises. Here on the 9th May
a great pilgrimage takes place and its origins dates back to far-off times.
