Bovino (source: Visual Puglia )
Bovino is located on the borderline between Apulia and Campania. Due to its position, it has played a strategic role for connections between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. The first human settlements in Bovino and its surrounding area date back to the Neolithic age. The town was founded by the Daunians and took part in the Samnites struggles against the Romans, by whom it was destroyed and rebuilt with the name of Vibinum, to then obtain recognition as a town and the privilege of independence and self-rule. In 663 it was destroyed again, this time by the Byzantines, during the war against the Longobards. Its defence walls and streets were rebuilt: their original, narrow and tortuous, layout is still visible in the oldest town neighbourhoods. This did not prevent the town from being razed to the ground again, first by the Saracens and then by Emperor Octon I. During the rule of Frederick II, Bovino had a tranquil and prosperous phase, then passed under Angevin rule and subsequently under a sequence of feudatories. This small centre of the Daunian sub-Apennines boasts a mention as one of the finest ancient towns of Italy (“I Borghi più belli d’Italia”) by ANCI, the Association of Italian Municipalities.
(continue...)
Daunia and Gargano territories offer a wide variety of scenarios: sweet hills in Fortore river valley, Daunian Apennine area and Ofanto river valley, Gargano national park, Tavoliere delle Puglie tableland and unpolluted Tremiti archipelago. Where endless wheat stretches rise and one can watch without seeing the horizon there is the Tavoliere, a witness of Foggia, San Severo and Cerignola the agricultural tradition. The greenest area in Apulia: Gargano National Park. It stands for its vegetation, ranging from forests to maquis. Five Tremiti islands are considered as veritable natural heavens. Sea beds, caves and erosions carved by the waves and winds represent overpowering attractions for scuba divers and sea lovers.
St. Mary of the Graces and the Capuchin Monastery - San Giovanni Rotondo
Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Stignano - San Marco in Lamis
Tremiti Archipelago in north of Gargano National Park. Two of the islands have been populated since antiquity and the wonderful natural scenario they are in is enriched by the several stories and legends which have been passed over for centuries now, showing the tight connection between islanders, sea and nature
Go to list
Gargano National Park covers the whole homonymous cape and also includes Tremiti Islan archipelago. In this park there are several rare protected habitats such as Foresta Umbra ('Umbrian forest'), the last existing sample of a vegetation characterizing most of Mediterranean area during prehistory
Daunia, ancient Capitanata region, includes the Preappennines, the Apulian Tavoliere and Gargano. Its landscape is extremely diverse and ranges from the green of inland parks and forests to the yellow of wheat in the Tavoliere, to the blue of sea water in contrast with coastal white cliffs.
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia