Manfredonia
Welcome to Manfredonia: a city bathed by the Gulf
Manfredonia, also known as Mambredonia in local dialects, is a municipality in the province of Foggia in Puglia. The city derives its name from Manfredi of Sicily, son of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. Located within the Gargano National Park, Manfredonia is the twenty-seventh largest Italian municipality by area and the sixth largest in Puglia. With its 54,103 inhabitants, Manfredonia is bathed by the beautiful Gulf of Manfredonia and is the episcopal see of the Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo.
Territory: from the coast to the hinterland
The territory of Manfredonia is divided into different landscapes. The low sandy coast of the Gulf of Manfredonia is ideal for swimming and was characterized, between the 1960s and 1970s, by an interesting tourist season that led to the establishment of a series of accommodation structures designed according to cutting-edge architectural and technological standards of those years. The territory is mountainous in the northern part and belongs to the Gargano National Park. In the 1930s, numerous reclamation works were undertaken that affected various wetlands present in the area. However, the Salso Lake, which has become an oasis, still exists, and hunting was widely practiced in these areas, at least until the 1960s. Nowadays, the phenomenon is very limited, thanks to the action of law enforcement.
The territory of Manfredonia has undergone modifications regarding its borders in the second half of the last century. In fact, the stretch of coast immediately north of the city was once part of the Municipality of Manfredonia, while today, this area is administratively part of the Municipality of Monte Sant'Angelo. The events that led to the transfer of this part of the territory are still controversial, and it is further complicated by the 'placet' that the Municipality of Monte Sant'Angelo gave at the end of the 1960s for the installation of a petrochemical plant by ENI in the ceded territory, which has considerable natural value. This decision disregarded the negative opinion of the municipal councils of Manfredonia and Mattinata.
The municipal territory is crossed by three rivers: the Candelaro, which is 70 km long and originates in the high Puglia Tavoliere. The Cervaro, on the other hand, is a mostly torrential watercourse, with even destructive floods (2003 flood: 682 m²/s), 107 km long. Its sources are located in the Daunia mountains. Finally, the Carapelle, often classified as a stream, originates in the Irpinia mountains.
Seismic classification
The entire territory of Manfredonia was classified by the Civil Protection Department in 2015 as "Zone 2," which indicates that strong earthquakes may occur.
Conclusion
Manfredonia, bathed by the beautiful Gulf that surrounds it, is a city that offers different landscapes, from sandy beaches to mountainous nature. It is crossed by three rivers and has a territory with particular historical notes. With its seismic classification as "Zone 2," it is necessary to adopt all safety measures in case of earthquakes, although the inhabitants of the city tell us that the current epidemiological situation keeps them away from tourists. Despite this, they cannot wait to welcome all travelers again who are seeking adventures and natural beauty. Why not come and visit us to discover this beautiful city in person?
