• VICO DEL GARGANO (FG)
• INCORONATA (FG)
• BARI
• PIETRAMONTECORVINO (FG)
• PALMARIGGI (LE)
• PARABITA (LE)
• MONTE SANT’ANGELO (FG)

​

ANCIENT PATHS TO THE SANCTUARIES OF FAITH

Set out on the emotional paths, retracing the steps of those pilgrims who have walked these dirt roads since the dawn of time, admiring the beauty of creation that embraces the work of man's handiwork with the innumerable sanctuaries that abound in Puglia.

The journey begins at the Sacred Mountain of the Gargano, an imposing rocky giant lying between green forests and the blue of the crystal clear sea; every year it is the destination of countless pilgrimages due to the presence of some of the most important Christian sanctuaries.

On the day of lovers, 14 February, in VICO DEL GARGANO (fg), counted among the 'most beautiful villages in Italy' and located close to the Umbra Forest (a Unesco heritage site), Valentine's Day is celebrated: In the streets of the village, the crisp air smells of citrus fruits, the vivid colour of oranges adorns courtyards and balconies with a medieval flavour, while the 'paposcia' (bread-focaccia) freshly baked by the Vichesi bakers tempts visitors to be tasted in the suggestive 'vicolo del bacio' (kiss alley) in the heart of the old town.

In the heart of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, the village of INCORONATA (fg) is home to the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna dell'Incoronata, where you will witness the 'Cavalcata degli Angeli' (the angels' cavalcade): festively harnessed horses, adorned with sequins and rattles, parade together with children dressed as angels, saints and friars, circling the sanctuary three times, accompanied by the singing of ancient lauds.

The Daunia, on the other hand, is the setting for the village of PIETRAMONTECORVINO (fg) where the statue of St Albert is accompanied throughout the pilgrimage by the characteristic 'palij', long coloured trunks 'dressed' 3-4 days before the feast with handkerchiefs and shawls, held together with baby bands, collected house by house and returned after the feast.

The rustic atmosphere of the village is accentuated by the strong aromas and flavours of the 'sfringl' (fried pizzas) of the 'nogghjie', a special pork sausage, to the delicacy of the 'cumplment', sweets covered with an irresistible sugar icing.

In May, how can one remain impassive in front of the cult of St Nicholas of Myra venerated in the city of BARI. Strong is the attachment of the people of Bari since as far back as 1087, when the relics landed on the shores of Puglia. Pilgrims from east and west flock to the basilica in the heart of the old city to take part in the procession of the saint's statue, both by land and sea, the traditional historical procession and the removal of the 'Sacra Manna', the liquid that oozes from the saint's bones. Go into the old town centre to taste the famous 'focaccia barese' or the now famous 'via delle orecchiette'.

We move to Salento, to PALMARIGGI (le), for the festival of the Madonna della Palma: walk along the 'ancient path' lined with dry stone walls and ancient pajare, to arrive at the Sanctuary of Montevergine and enjoy refreshment in the shade of a centuries-old olive tree, tasting friselle, pomegranate sweets and excellent aromatic wines.

A few kilometres away, in the Messapian town of PARABITA (le), the 'curraturi' simulate the peasant's race towards the town to announce the discovery of the monolith depicting the Blessed Virgin of the Crop; on Monday, don't miss the suggestive firework display of the Basilica's bell tower.

You can't miss the September appointment with the pilgrimage to MONTE SANT'ANGELO (fg) - the municipality of the two UNESCO sites - for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel: this is the most famous micaelic place of worship in the Latin West.

Thousands of pilgrims retrace the ancient paths to reach the sanctuary of the Archangel and access the grotto of his apparition.

And after the fatigue of the climb, one appreciates more the typical refreshment of the mountain people, made of 'scaldatelli', salted taralli seasoned with fennel seeds, and the 'ostie ripiene', a sweet made of almonds, honey, cinnamon and sugar.