Touristic Routes Monte Sant Angelo

Sanctuary of St. Michele Archangel

The sanctuary, destination each year of a large number of pilgrims, overlooks the main street of Monte Sant'Angelo.

On the right side of the facade you can admire the impressive bell tower, octagonal shaped, built towards the end of the XIII century by Charles I d' Angiò.

The two main doors, elegantly decorated with capitals, lintels and carved frames, were built in different periods: the first, the one on the right side, dates back to 1395 and was made by Simon of Monte Sant'Angelo.

The second one, on the left side, was only built in 1865 on the existing model.
A stairway, comprising six landings and five ramps, lead up to the Porta del Toro, built in the seventeenth century. From there you reach the imposing Romanesque arch, on which are engraved the words spoken by the Archangel to Lorenzo Maiorano, Bishop of Siponto.

Behind the sanctuary there is the old well, from which the pilgrims could draw drinking water as a sign of devotion to the Saint.

Monumental complex of Santa Maria Maggiore

The building comprises the Baptistery of St. Giovanni in Tumba and the Church of St. Maria Maggiore.

Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba

Before its last collapse, which occurred in 1942, the building was one of the most important monuments of the town. Adjacent to the building is the famous tomb of Rotari. Overall, the building has been defined by Bertaux one of the most mysterious works of art of' Southern Italy.

Its architectural shape, in fact, is quite original: the ground floor has a square plan, the first floor boasts an octagonal one, while the second has, instead, an ellipsoid shape decorated by a high drum surmounted by a majestic dome.

On the main door you can admire beautiful bas-reliefs, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. 

Inside, allegorical frescoes of the fourteenth century stand out.

Santa Maria Maggiore

The church stands on the ruins of an ancient necropolis. According to many, its building dates back to the XI century and is by the Archbishop Leone.

The appearance of the facade, divided into two parts by a cornice shelf, seems to support this thesis.

At the top of the facade is a small window enclosed by a triple; at the bottom, instead, there are a series of blind arches that frame the central door.

Originally, the church was full of frescoes of religious theme.

Currently, there is very little left of these frescoes, except the image of some saints and a lovely Madonna with Child.

Church of Saint Benedict

Located in the heart of Monte Sant'Angelo, this Church is especially known for the wonderful Gothic arch that frames the main door

The arc reports the date of building of the Church, 1340.

Norman Castle - Svevo - Aragonese

The most reliable sources say that the construction of the castle took place before the arrival of the Normans in Monte Sant'Angelo, by the Bishop of Benevento, Orso I.

The Normans turned the castle into the official residence of the princes of the Honor Montis Sancti Angeli.

Under the Emperor Frederick II began the first major renovation leading up to the Castle' peak of its glory.

After the death of the Emperor, the castle became propriety of the Angevins: from that moment onwards, the former home of emperors and principles was turned into a prison.

Then, at the end of the XV century, the Aragonesi gave the castle its ancient function and original splendor.

At the end of the eighteenth century, Ferdinand IV of France gave the castle to Cardinal Ruffo.

Today, the building is owned by the municipality of Monte Sant'Angelo, and major restoration works are taking place.

Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of Gargano

The museum was set up in the fourteenth-century Convent of San Francesco, located in the heart of Monte Sant'Angelo.

The material of Museum witnesses an old farm tradition, which brings to light the distinctive features of a culture that still evokes its tracks.

The exposition has been made with incredible rigor, respecting the venue.

On the second floor of the building there is also a multipurpose hall, where visitors can look up the media that the museum provides for any further deepening