Place oh worship and Unesco sites

Located in the heart of the Gargano National Park - Monte Sant'Angelo is home to two UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Sites: the Lombard traces in the Sanctuary of St. Michael Archangel (2011, as part of the serial site "The Lombards in Italy. The places of power (568-774 A.D.)') and the ancient beech forests of the Umbra Forest (2017, as part of the transnational asset 'Ancient primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe').

In addition, other important recognitions have arrived in recent years: from National Geographic, which included the Sacred Cave of the Archangel Michael among the 10 most beautiful sacred caves in the world, to Skyscanner, which included Monte Sant'Angelo among the 20 most beautiful cities in Italy; from the Apulia Region, which included the municipality in the regional list of 'municipalities with a predominantly tourist economy and cities of art'; to the Michelin Green Guide, which awarded the historic centre the highest recognition with three stars and included it among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Beauty travels along the white streets of the old town centre, stands the test of time in front of the majestic Norman-Swabian-Aragonese Castle, remains in your heart in the presence of the monumental façade and the Grotto of the most important sanctuary in the West dedicated to the Archangel Michael, an uninterrupted destination of pilgrimages for 1500 years.

Beauty accompanies you to the mysterious Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba (known as the 'Tomb of Rotari') and to the marvel of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and its frescoes, to listening to the silence at the Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano and its Hermitages, to the magical Umbra Forest or along the coast of the marina.

There are numerous traditional, emotional and promotional events: from 8 May with the Michael Festival celebrating the Archangel around the world, through Holy Week - with its evocative and emotional 'miserere and earthquake' rites and the poignant Good Friday Procession.

From 25 June to 7 July, the two UNESCO recognitions are celebrated, passing through the major summer events until September with the Historical Procession of the Apparitions of the Archangel, the patronal feast on 29 September and the Procession of the Holy Sword, the film festival dedicated to the Francigena and Micaelica routes, Mònde.

As numerous are the typical products of gastronomic excellence and local dishes: from the crunchy and famous bread to the sweet full wafers, from the oil of the Macchia plain - where olive trees and the sea meet - to the tasty caciocavallo cheese.

Places to visit: Sanctuary and Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo, Abbey and Hermitage of Santa Maria di Pulsano, Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba (known as 'Rotari's Tomb'), frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Norman-Swabian-Aragonese Castle, TECUM Museums of the Sanctuary (Devotional, Lapidary and Longobard Crypts), MeTA - Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of the Gargano, the Umbra Forest.

Photos by: Mario Brambilla, Monica Giardina, Leonardo Giordano, Matteo Nuzziello

Text by: Pasquale Gatta