Discovering Gargano National Park, Apulia

The most striking feature of this area is the extreme variety of landscapes on offer. Set amidst a Mediterranean backdrop of mountains and coastline, the steep cliffs of Pugnochiuso dramatically contrast with the sandy beaches of Vieste, the green of the Umbra Forest, the salt marshes of Lesina and Varano Lakes, and Mount Calvo that stands 1000m high above the protected marine reserve of the Tremiti Islands below. Standing in the 11th century hillside town of Monte St Angelo on a warm summer's day to admire the view of the Gulf of Manfredonia, it’s difficult to believe that in winter here there is snow, and lots of it.

Protecting Area
For centuries, this part of Apulia has stunned visitors with its natural beauty and landscapes. In 1991 almost all of the mountainous area in Gargano was designated a National Park and more recently this protection was expanded to include the 300 hectares of the Tremiti Islands' Marine Reserve.

Art, faith and influence
Gargano, once called the Sacred Mountain, is a place that offers travellers many places full of art and influence. A famous pilgrim trail joins the town of Monte St Angelo and St Giovanni Rotondo.

Mount St Angelo is particularly noted as the place where the Archangel Michele made several appearances around the year 492. As a consequence a medieval sanctuary was built out of the rocks that for centuries has attracted pilgrims from all over the world. It is a place worth visiting whatever the time of year.

A short distance away is the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, renowned for its shrine to the charismatic Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. His tomb is in the small church where he served until his death in 1968, next to the newly built Pilgramage Church designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano, which includes works by important artists such as Pomodoro and Vangi.

The main ports of Vieste, Peschici and Rodi Garganico are also rich in Roman and Baroque style churches lost in a maze of narrow white streets which come to a sudden stop where they meet the edge of the sea. Take a trip to the monastery on the Island of San Nicola at Tremiti to admire the splendid mosaic floors.

Local food and drink
Gargano is a true paradise for food lovers with some speciality dishes found only in this region’ such as:
Il Pane di Monte Sant’Angelo (Bread of Monte St. Angelo) - a delicious, traditionally-made bread originally intended for shepherds during their long weeks of solitude
Caciocavallo Podolico (Cheese on Horseback) - made of milk from a rare breed of cow, this cheese is left to age in caves for 6-12 years where it develops a mouldy covering and a distinctive flavour
Ostie ripiene - two small pieces of flat bread filled with almonds dipped in aromatic honey
Buffalo Mozzarella from Manfredonia
I Cavattelli - a type of pasta which is perfect with sea food
La Salicornia - a plant that grows on salt marshes that originates from the Lakes of Lesina and Varno
Le verdure sott’olio (Vegetables in Oil) - peppers, aubergines, courgettes and pickled onions flavoured with oil and served with bruschetta.