Touristic Routes Lesina

• Gargano Touristic Routes

The Lagoon

Officially ranked among the Lakes of Italy, the Lagoon of Lesina is certainly the first obliged stage of an itinerary in the territory of this town.

The nature of the water of the Lagoon is very similar to the sea ones, but we must bear in mind that many freshwater streams flow into the Lagoon itself.

The special climatic conditions of the lagoon make it a unique biological type.

Many species of migratory birds will address to these areas to stop off during their trips.

The Cathedral of Lesina

The Cathedral of SS. Annunziata was built between 1828 and 1837 on the ruins of the Church previously destined to the cult of  SS. Annunziata.

As a matter of fact, the first Church was built in 1600, but couldn't hold up after the earthquake of the year 1630.

The current building reproduces the imposing Greek-Roman style. An elegant pronao, external colonnade comprising arched Romanesque columns, embellishes the facade.

Inside, the Cathedral is made up of a single nave, flanked by two chapels.

Some splendid frescoes narrating the most important episodes from the life of Jesus embellish the walls of the Cathedral. These frescoes have been made by the Neapolitan master Bocchetti Gaetano di Piedimonte d'Alife.

The Church of San Primiano

This Church, smaller than that of SS. Annunziata, is quoted for the first time in a document dating back to 1730.

At the time of its construction, the Church belonged to the ancient Brotherhood of the Holy Rosary.

The Cross of San Clemente

This cross, once belonging to a monastery erected around the year 1100 by the Abbot of San Clemente, comes out of the lake's water.

Unfortunately, we don't have much information on the history of the Convent, and for this reason the inhabitants of Lesina are eager to get to know more about the history of their own town.

The former Episcopal Palace

The Bishop of Lucera took refuge here in 663 AD, escaping the persecution of the Byzantine Emperor Costante II. We do not know the reasons that led the Bishop of Lucera to choose Lesina as his refuge: some argue that, at that time, Lesina was already an episcopal seat; according to others, instead, the episcopal seat was established later, around 1200.

The Wooden Island ( Bosco isola )

The dune is also bounded by the two communication channels (Acquarotta and Schiapparo), that turn the Lesina lake into a real lagoon.

The formation of this dune has been made possible by the gathering of sand deposited here by sea currents, combined with debris deposited over time by the river Fortore.

The flora that grows on this dune is typical of the Adriatic coast ( i.e. oaks, live oaks, cerase, pine d 'Aleppo, juniper and rosemary).

Among all plant species you can find on this small dune, the Cisto di Clusio stands out. It is a small woody plant that you can see only on the territory of Lesina.

The Wooden Island is being studied by many researchers, botany experts. For this reason, it has been named big ecological laboratory.