Vico Del Gargano

Vico del Gargano lies in the heart of the National Park of Gargano.

Located at 400 meters above the sea level, in the area of Vico del Gargano there are a lot of water springs. For this reason, in this territory many populations have settled since the ancient times.

Vico del Gargano is also known as the town of citrus fruit, for the great quantity of citrus grown on its territory. Citrus fruits are also a major source of income for the inhabitants of Vico.

Historical Notes

Due to its strategic location and the presence of many water springs, the territory of Vico del Gargano has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

In an official way, however, the town was founded in 970, when Sueripolo, commander of the Schiavoni (a Slavic population), chased away the Saracens from these lands on behalf of the Byzantines, receiving in return the opportunity to create its own settlement. 

In the 11th century the Normans come to Vico, building the ancient fortress. This would have been enlarged later by Frederick II of Swabia.

At the end of the 15th century Vico was donated by Frederick II of Aragon to Galeazzo Caracciolo, for having achieved a major victory against the Turks in Otranto.

In 1759 the famous Accademia degli Eccitati was founded. This is an important centre for research studies and science.

Nowadays, Vico is a charming town nestled in the Natural Park of Gargano, which can also offer to its visitors a considerable cultural heritage.