Holiday apartment in Monte Sant'Angelo – Sanctuary, pilgrimage routes and nature

Monte Sant'Angelo combines an impressive religious history, narrow old-town streets, historic buildings steeped in tradition and the landscape of the Gargano.

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 25 June 2011 as part of the serial World Heritage property “The Longobards in Italy – Places of Power (568–774 AD)”. It consists of a natural cave and buildings added in successive periods. The central cave contains the main altar and a statue of Saint Michael made of Carrara marble.

The sanctuary's Lombard crypts are also among its defining historic spaces: they preserve inscriptions by the dukes of Benevento. In the Middle Ages, the sacred cave of Monte Sant'Angelo formed part of the spiritual path of penance and redemption known as “Homo, Angelus, Deus”. Here, you can therefore encounter several layers of history in one place without the individual elements losing their own significance.

Art, historic buildings and the Junno district

The cultural diversity includes Michelangelo Pistoletto's contemporary installation “Il Terzo Paradiso: Intrecci d’Oro”. It is located in the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba, also known as the “Tomba di Rotari”. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore features a valuable 13th-century fresco cycle.

Monte Sant'Angelo's historic buildings also include a Norman castle referred to as Frederick II's residence. The Junno district is characterised by narrow lanes and closely packed houses with white façades.

Pilgrimage routes and paths to Pulsano

The Via dei Pellegrini is a 40-kilometre hiking trail from Vieste to Monte Sant'Angelo and can be walked all year round. During the Feast of Madonna di Pulsano on 8 September, the faithful travel by mule from Monte Sant'Angelo to the Abbey of Pulsano. The hermitage of Saint John the Abbot can be reached via a path leading from the plain up to the hill of Pulsano.

Falascone and the nature of the Foresta Umbra

The Falascone state biogenetic nature reserve covers 48 hectares of mature mixed deciduous forest, dominated by beech trees and home to rare yews. Visits to the Falascone reserve may be authorised only for scientific research purposes; however, you can walk along its fence on the paved road from Umbra to Monte Sant'Angelo. The protected forest area and the possible walk along its boundary must be clearly distinguished from each other.

At the Museo Naturalistico della Foresta Umbra, you will find sections on the flora of the Gargano, the archaeology of the Gargano and its fauna. The museum's outdoor area illustrates the work of the Gargano's woodcutters and charcoal burners, including a woodcutter's hut and a charcoal kiln. Hiking maps and information material about Gargano National Park are available at the Foresta Umbra visitor centre; mountain bikes are also available for hire.

A regional speciality to try

At the bakeries in Monte Sant'Angelo, you can try Ostie ripiene. These are sweets filled with almonds and honey.

Discover more places

For further regional planning, you can then also explore Vico Del Gargano, Castelluccio Dei Sauri, Serracapriola, Accadia, Trinitapoli, Motta Montecorvino, Segezia and San Giovanni Rotondo.

For the regional travel overview: Foggia.