The Diarygame || Travel Diary: Monte Sant'Angelo | Tuesday, August 20
Today, I want to share with you my journey back from the Foresta Umbra. Along the way, I decided to stop in Monte Sant'Angelo, a charming and historically rich town perched on the slopes of the Gargano. This fascinating place is renowned as one of Italy's main pilgrimage destinations, thanks to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, a site that has drawn believers from all over the world for over a thousand years.
The Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel is situated within a cave, which, according to legend, was the site of appearances by the Archangel Michael in the 5th century. These appearances turned the cave into a sacred place, giving rise to one of the oldest Christian shrines, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cave is considered a place of great spiritual power, and over the centuries, it has seen visits from popes, kings, and emperors, all coming to pay homage to the Archangel. Among the notable visitors were Charlemagne, who visited the sanctuary during his campaigns, and Pope John Paul II, who visited in 1987.
In addition to the sanctuary, Monte Sant'Angelo is home to the Castle, a fortress with an equally rich history. The Castle of Monte Sant'Angelo, also known as the Norman Castle, dates back to the 9th century and was expanded and fortified over the centuries by various feudal lords, including the Normans, Swabians, and Angevins. The structure is dominated by the Tower of the Giants, a pentagonal tower 18 meters high, built with walls 3.7 meters thick, designed to withstand the most violent assaults.
The castle has served various roles throughout its long history, from royal residence to prison and military fortification. It is said that Emperor Frederick II used the castle as a residence for his beloved Bianca Lancia, and according to popular legend, Bianca's ghost still wanders the castle's corridors on cold winter nights.
Monte Sant'Angelo, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, offers a unique experience that combines the spirituality of the Sanctuary of Saint Michael with the majesty and mystery of its medieval castle. Visiting this town is like taking a journey through time, where every stone tells a story of faith, power, and tradition.
Tip: Monte Sant'Angelo is not only renowned for its spiritual significance but also for its culinary traditions. One of the highlights is the local bread, which has a long history tied to the town's cultural heritage. The bread is often baked in traditional wood-fired ovens, giving it a unique flavor and texture. This practice has been passed down through generations, reflecting the importance of maintaining ancient methods in daily life, much like the town's rich history itself.
The photos were taken with my iPhone 6 and edited with Lightroom.
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Thanks so match @enamul17👋
Great pictures! Thank you for sharing your experience.
thank you for stopping by!
Hello your place to visit to Monte Sant Angelo post of the Sanctuarys to of saint michael the archangel & the castlle look so amazing . I loved the post reading about the history and legends asosiating to with these placess.
Best of luck
Oh! @sarahisham, what a lovely comment, thank you for your well wishes, I wish you all the best.
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Hello traveler! 👋🏼
Thanks for sharing your post in the TS Community. Here you are the feedback and evaluation results:
Not strange to be considered as best candidate for the international heritage of Unesco institute because this place of Monte Saint Angelo is full of interesting charming spots to be visited and grabbing the opportunity to enjoy here.
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Curated by @alegnita
Thank you, @alegnita, for appreciating my contribution! I did my best to make it as interesting as possible and to convey as accurately as I could the emotions that the place evoked in me.
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That's so great to hear about. For sure there's a plenty of excellent spots you have in mind to share as travel author ☺️ Thank you
It is a lovely town and I hope it survives including the traditions. If so there might be hope for the future. Eveen if people leave the villagr here is where culture blooms. Those breads are extremely big. Did you eat it?
It feels as if every place has the burden of intruders.
I love the castle, de photo with the dog, the umbrellas and the view on the streets. Is there a sea?
It is a very fragile village, sustained by the pilgrimage of the faithful and tourism. The inhabitants are a bit reserved but kind. I don’t know what winters are like here. Many houses in the center have “for sale” signs, a symptom of the desire to move to larger urban centers with more opportunities, but there is no lack of young people in the inns. I ate the local products; they have amazing mushrooms due to the proximity to the Umbra Forest. The vegetables are very flavorful, not watered down and tasteless like those from supermarkets, and the slightly unsalted bread is delicious—crispy just enough, with very soft crumb. The village is a 20-minute drive from the Gulf of Manfredonia. I'm glad I passed through here.
As you describe it, it sounds to me like a good place to be. That being reserved is fine. You and describing food... it's mouthwatering and I can smell the mushrooms but I no longer eat bread. Thanks for sharing what it tastes like.