Monte Sant'Angelo

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Monte Sant’Angelo is located on the southern spur of the Gargano headland and on one side overlooks Tavoliere and on the other, the Gulf of Manfredonia. The spur hosting the town is also home to the altar of the Archangel St. Micheal, which is located inside a limestone cave.
The history of the town revolves around the construction of a church dedicated to the Archangel Michael who appeared to some locals on the eve of a battle against the Barbarians, which the locals subsequently won. The exact date of the church is uncertain and ranges from 493 to the following century. It is however certain that Monte Sant’Angelo, destroyed on various occasions and rebuilt, has become over time a symbol of resistance for the church against Byzantine domination. The steady flow of local pilgrims and Crusades lead to the construction of shelters, originally known as "mansioni", and homes that composed the first nucleus that went on to become the town centre. This initial area of the town was composed of the "Junno" district, still in the old part of the town. The dominations that followed united the destiny of Monte San’Angelo to that of all the other towns in the south of Italy, mirroring the subsequent fortifications that led to the construction of castles and surrounding town walls.

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A place of religious, historical and artistic interest and hugely charming is the “Sacred Grotto”, also known as the “Basilica Celeste”. This is where the Archangel Michael appeared and which led to the religious following in the area for St. Michael.
Over time the grotto became adorned with altars, thrones and ambos and the lower part includes a church with a bell tower built by Charles I of Angio. Despite continued restoration work, the grotto has maintained its original charm and is still a pilgrimage attraction for believers all around Europe. The walls near the entrance of the grotto include etchings of pilgrims’ names who visited Monte Sant’Angelo.
You really should visit the castle, a real “history story" spanning the centuries that loyally shows signs of the dominating races that governed the lands in the area. Before leaving Monte Sant’Angelo we recommend you visit the “Museum of the Arts and Popular Gargano Tradition”, reflecting the farming culture of the area and its activities. The last week of September commemorates the Feast of St. Micheal Archangel, the patron saint of the town. The celebration lasts a week and includes a traditional procession and the “offerta della cerca” where children offer votive candles to their saint.