Monte Sant'Angelo, the village with two UNESCO sites

The village of Monte Sant'Angelo, once known as Monte Gargano, owes its name to the cult of the Archangel Michael, who appeared in the cave between 490 and 493 AD. The town grew up around the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel, a destination for pilgrimages for 1,500 years. Numerous peoples who made pilgrimages to the Archangel left their mark on Monte Sant'Angelo and contributed to its beauty: Byzantines, Lombards, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, and Aragonese. In the 10th century, the characteristic Rione Junno district was built, with white single-story houses, arched doors, and winding alleys. Monte Sant'Angelo was a key stop on medieval routes: from the Via Micaelica to the Francigena, to the Via Sacra Langobardorum. On the path to redemption “Homo, Angelus, Deus,” the village represented the “Angelus,” the spiritual hub between Rome, Santiago, and the Holy Land.

The beauty of the village

In the City of Two UNESCO Sites, beauty reveals itself along the white streets of the historic center, stands tall in front of the majestic Norman-Swabian-Aragonese Castle, and wins hearts in front of the monumental facade and the Grotto of the Sanctuary of San Michele, a pilgrimage destination for 1,500 years. The wonder continues in the mysterious Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba, in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore with its frescoes, in the hermitages of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano, in the Umbra Forest, and along the coast.

Mountains, woods, sea, gastronomy, and history: Monte Sant'Angelo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Events in the village

The events in Monte Sant'Angelo mark the year with spirituality, tradition, and culture. On March 18, the Fanoje di San Giuseppe light up the village with bonfires, music, and food, while Holy Week offers intense rituals such as the Miserere, the “Sparo della Quarantene,” and the Good Friday procession. April 30th marks International Jazz Day, followed in May by the Michael Festival, dedicated to the cult of St. Michael. On June 25th, the city celebrates its UNESCO recognition with Monte Sant'Angelo Longobarda, while July 7th marks the birthday of the UNESCO Beech Forests. Summer is enlivened by the Summer Festival, with cultural, musical, and sporting events. On September 29, the solemn Patron Saint's Day of San Michele culminates in the procession of the Sacred Sword, preceded by the historical procession of the Apparitions. October brings the “Mònde” film festival, and November brings Education Week. Finally, from December 8 to January 6, the Christmas Festival lights up the village with nativity scenes, markets, concerts, and shows.

photo credits Alexandre.ROSA