Many tourists pass by the Gargano peninsula in the Puglia region. They do so in vain because this place has a unique history and can offer everyone an unforgettable trip. Maintaining a connection with the past, Gargano strives to become a modern tourist center that will be comfortable for people of any gender, age and nationality. Gradually developing and becoming more popular with travelers, this peninsula is becoming a natural pearl of the Italian paradise.
Brief history of Gargano
The history of Gargano dates back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. At that time, the peninsula was the center of evolutionary processes and one of the places where people lived. Numerous finds and rock paintings that have been perfectly preserved to this day confirm this. There is also evidence of active human activity on the territory of Gargano in all subsequent eras.
The first civilization on the peninsula that was developed was the Daunian. Its representatives paid much attention to religion, so Gargano became a religious center. Then came the period of Greek colonization. The Greeks brought their own culture and customs to the peninsula and started a more rapid development of the region. In the Roman era, Gargano became an important cultural and economic center. Valuable natural resources were mined on the peninsula, buildings for various purposes were erected, and roads were laid. Thanks to this, many cities appeared on the peninsula, now part of Italy.
An essential part of the history of Gargano was the period from 535 to 553. At this time, it was engulfed in the Byzantine-Gothic War, due to which the peninsula began to lose everything that had been gained in previous years. In addition to the destruction of buildings and cultural values, the entire region’s economy suffered. Another consequence of the war was the establishment of Christianity on the peninsula as the primary and only religion. In 663, Gargano and the whole of Puglia were captured by the Byzantine Emperor Constans II’s troops.
In the 9th and 10th centuries, dozens of small villages that belonged to the Byzantine Empire began to appear in Gargano. They were far from each other, so each had its own customs, traditions, and architecture. This event helped to diversify the culture of the entire region, and the consequences of such changes are clearly visible even in our time. In the 11th century, cathedrals, churches and other religious buildings began to appear in Gargano. Many of them are now in good condition.
In the next few centuries, Gargano constantly changed hands. This continued until the proclamation of the Italian Kingdom in 1861, after which the peninsula became part of Italy forever. This event brought stability to Puglia but became a catalyst for new problems, particularly social ones. At the beginning of the 20th century, the entire south of Italy was in for a difficult period. The previously planned economic revival of the region did not happen, which is why the development of Gargano was put on hold. Moreover, the crisis only worsened yearly, affecting everyone related to it.
Significant changes in Gargano occurred after the end of WWII. During this period, there was active economic and social development of the whole of Puglia, which made it possible to begin building a modern society. In the 60s of the last century, Gargano was visited by the first tourists. In the following years, their number was constantly increasing, which made it possible to make tourism one of the main sectors of the regional economy. At the same time, the presence of more famous holiday destinations in the south of Italy did not allow Gargano to become a leader in this area. In the 21st century, the situation is gradually changing for the better. Today, Gargano is actively developing tourism; for many, it is becoming a natural pearl of Southern Italy.
Car trip in Gargano
The best way to explore Gargano is by car. It will allow you to visit most of the cities quickly, thus allowing you to see much more. It does not matter if you have a new car or, for example, a damaged Jaguar XJS; you will get the most out of it and, indeed, fall in love with Puglia.
Cities to visit
When going on a road trip along the Gargano, include Vieste in your route. This small town on the Adriatic coast is famous for its historic center with magnificent architecture and developed tourist infrastructure. Vieste also has several beaches, which are considered the best in Puglia. The next stop on your road trip should be the commune of Peschici. It greets every traveler with its tiny white houses, narrow streets and beautiful ancient architecture. Staying here for a couple of days, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes, historical sights and, of course, the famous dishes of southern Italy.
During your road trip, you should stop by the Mattinata commune. This small town is a beautiful resort with clean beaches, developed tourist infrastructure and abundant entertainment. Here you can spend hours enjoying the local natural beauty and walking around the historic center, which is famous throughout Italy. Next, you can go to Monte Sant’Angelo, where you will see a temple under UNESCO’s protection. It is called Santuario di San Michele and is an important religious site for Italy. Also, in Monte Sant’Angelo, you can enjoy hiking and boating.
Famous attractions
Puglia is an ancient region, so its territory has many historically significant architectural sites. The main one is the previously mentioned Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo. This temple is one of the oldest in all of Italy. It is located inside a cave, and everyone who visits it cannot describe their delight. Also, during a car trip, you can visit Chiesa di San Pio, Santuario Padre Pio, Convento Santa Maria delle Grazie, Castello di Monte Sant’Angelo and other similar sites.
There are also many natural attractions in Gargano. Among them, the Varano and Lesina lakes are especially popular with travelers. These picturesque reservoirs attract people who want to relax in silence and enjoy the local beauty. The number of popular natural sites in Gargano also includes caves. There are many of them near most cities, so if you have time and opportunity, you should pay attention to them.
Popular activities
Gargano has created excellent conditions for travelers to have a comfortable holiday. In almost every settlement, you can find dozens of entertainment options for people of all ages. If you want to get to know the history of Gargano better, then be sure to watch the old way of fishing. Local fishermen did this with the help of unique structures called trabucchi. These structures can be found all along the coast, so there will be no problems finding them.
For nature lovers, the best entertainment will be a walk through the Umbra Forest. This place is known for its tall trees, which are 100 years old or more. Also, in this corner of wild nature, many animals and birds are watching, which will bring pleasure even to people who have never done anything like this. If you are too lazy to walk, rent a bike and ride along one of the paved routes.
For lovers of a more traditional holiday, you should go to the beaches of Gargano. There are so many of them on the peninsula that choosing one of the locations will be extremely difficult. However, tourists and locals say the best beaches are Vignanotica, Portogreco, and Pugnochiuso. They should be given special attention. Another popular form of entertainment is getting to know the local culinary masterpieces. In Gargano, as in any other place in Italy, they prepare their unique pizza. Famous regional cuisine dishes are Orecchiette, Fogaccia, and Pancotto.
Gargano is often called the unknown pearl of the Italian paradise. This statement is highly correct since few travelers know about the existence of this peninsula. However, those who still risk coming to this place will be able to find themselves in a completely different world, where the past meets the present, and each attraction has a long and eventful history. Traveling along the Apennine Peninsula, do not forget to stop by places like Gargano. They will open up the real Italy for you, which you want to visit again and again.
Contributing author to Weird Italy, a platform dedicated to the exploration of unique and unusual aspects of Italian culture, history, and contemporary phenomena.