Mattinata

The town of Mattinata lies on two hills:

Castelluccio and Coppa della Madonna, and is surrounded by Monte Saraceno on the south and Monte Sacro on the north, by the plains of the olive groves on the east and by the sea and Monte Sant'Angelo on the west.

On the northern coast, formed by high white cliffs, there are sea caves of various sizes, ranging all the way from Mattinata to Vieste (allegedly the most beautiful caves of Gargano). On this coast there are several bays: Olive, Aranci, Mattinatella, Zagare and Vignanotica.

The city centre is characterized by small stone houses that have preserved their original structure, from the door arches to the chimneys. Kinky streets run all along the small palaces of the centre.

Thanks to Mattinata’s typical Mediterranean climate, capers, asparagus, oregano and mushrooms grow spontaneously. Furthermore, the agriculture of this land is characterized by the fertile fields of trees producing olives, almond, apricots, plums, “quinces” apples, pomegranates, citrus fruits and persimmon plants.

Historical Notes

Mattinata’s first inhabitants were the Matins, which belonged to Eurasian tribe of the Dauni. These landed from Greece between the 5th and 6th century BC.

After the age of the Roman Empire, Mattinata was conquered in turn by the Byzantines, the Lombards, the Saracens and finally the Normans.

During the 19th century the city took part in the Moti Carbonari (the fights that led to the Unity of Italy in 1865).

Between 1860 and 1863 Mattinata was plagued by episodes of banditry, mainly by deserters from the army. This phenomenon spread thanks to the support provided to the deserters by the Bourbons, in order to trigger a civil war.

In 1780 began the construction of some houses on the hill Castelluccio.

On 4th August 1955, the city acquired its formal independence from Monte Sant'Angelo, and the municipality of Mattinata saw its birth.