Gargano is a beautiful region in the north of Puglia, which extends along the Adriatic coast; it is an ideal destination to spend a pleasant holiday, surrounded by wild nature and a wonderful sea with breathtaking views.
Follow the offers for your holidays on Gargano in Puglia.
Gargano: between uncontaminated nature and religiosity.
Let's talk a little about the territory of Puglia: today we are going to take a closer look at the magic of an uncontaminated corner like the Gargano, which represents a point of reference for those who want to immerse themselves in a world made of lush nature, with Mediterranean scrub, very white rocks and stretches of sea with colors ranging from turquoise to emerald, capable of giving great emotions to visitors.
The Gargano is called the Spur of Italy and it is no coincidence: if in fact the shape of our country is somewhat reminiscent of a boot, this corner of territory cannot help but immediately bring to mind a spur, with its protruding position.
From an orographic point of view, the Gargano constitutes a promontory in province of Foggia, whose extension reaches approximately seventy kilometers, dominating the Adriatic Sea.
The massif, in its southern part, is further enriched from a naturalistic point of view by the Gulf of Manfredonia, while this area of almost 2000 square kilometers is delimited inland by the territory of the Tavoliere delle Puglie.
What makes this territory even more precious is the presence of the natural park of the same name, which contributes to the satisfactory conservation of this delicate territory.
In a place so rich in inspiration and beauty, one cannot help but be surprised by the presence of religious events of a certain importance, which find their culmination in places such as San Giovanni Rotondo, where the famous Saint Pio of Pietrelcina lived.
From a geographical point of view, the Gargano certainly represents an exception for the Apulian territory: in fact, the region is predominantly flat, or at least, the reliefs present are of modest altitude; while the Sperone d'Italia is a real mountain, an exception that confirms the rule in the naturalistic panorama of the region.
Originally the Gargano was an island: only following a constant accumulation of materials transported over time by the Candelaro torrent, forming alluvial deposits, was the peninsula created.
Distinguished by its white color, the Gargano is a limestone mountain whose peak reaches 1056 meters above sea level, on the summit of Monte Calvo, where in fact there is no form of vegetation.
This characteristic peak still preserves today very interesting evidence of ancient settlements: in fact, there are numerous caves that were inhabited in prehistoric times.
Another testimony of the past, particularly worthy of note, is represented by the trabucchi: these wooden structures intended for fishing and equipped with winches, constitute one of the jewels in the crown of the coastal area.
From a naturalistic point of view, the Gargano offers a variety of landscapes: montains, boschi and lots of sea, with a 200 km long coastline. An attraction not to be missed are the nearby Tremiti Islands: there are five islands to visit, namely San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa.
They have both high, rocky coasts and low, sandy ones surrounded by a sea with shades of light green, blue and turquoise.
Nature here is still wild and uncontaminated.
They were once known as Insulae “Diomedeae”, after Homer’s Greek hero buried here. Legend has it that his traveling companions were transformed by Venus into seabirds, the “Diomedeae”.
The coastal area is part of the Gargano National Park from 1989.
Another particularly important area, worth visiting and located in the hinterland, is the Umbra Forest, where there are noteworthy plant species and wild and farm animals that live freely. The Umbra Forest can be reached by taking a panoramic road that literally circumscribes the entire Gargano, passing through San Nicandro Garganico, Carpino, Rhodes Garganico, Peschici, Vieste, Morning e Manfredonia.
In a land so rich in food for thought and which provides a glimpse of the history of the whole of Puglia, one cannot help but stop to take note of the glimpses of great value in places such as Monte Sant'Angelo, a pearl of the Gargano, one of the first Christian sanctuaries in Europe and one of the most important in Italy, with its church inside a cave dedicated to the Archangel Michael, who is said to have appeared four or more times at the end of the 15th century.
San Giovanni Rotondo, It is the true pearl of Gargano, a place of pilgrimage where Padre Pio lived and was buried here. Pietrelcina is the birthplace of the Saint
San Marco in Lamis: for those who are looking for a place of spiritual interest, here you can find many testimonies
Peschici, perched on a high rocky promontory, is a famous tourist resort, with a port, hotels, campsites and tourist villages.
From a naturalistic point of view, you can admire splendid caves, such as San Nicola and Manacore, and small bays.
Vieste, one of the most important locations in Gargano, overlooking the famous beach of Pizzomunno, with the imposing limestone rock stack mentioned in the legend that has its roots in the tradition and myth of the sirens and their promises, translated into a beautiful song by the singer Max Gazzè.
Not far away is the Pugnochiuso Bay, a small and charming village overlooking the sea, with caves to visit such as those of San Nicola del Saraceno, Lina; Salata and Caprezza, some of which can only be reached by sea.
Morning, an international tourist centre, is a large bay with a port for pleasure boats and a long beach, kilometres of smooth pebbles and numerous caves.
The stacks of the Bay of Zagare, the beach of Vignanotica and Mattinatella.
The town of Mattinata is nestled on a stretch of olive trees, almond trees and prickly pears, on the steps carved into the rock of two hills: Castellacelo and Coppa della Madonna, sloping down towards the sea.
It is surrounded by Monte Sacro and Monte Saraceno, where it is possible to visit a Bronze Age necropolis.
Together with Salento, this tourist destination is not only for sea lovers, but also for gourmets who can appreciate the excellent Gargano cuisine.
