Monte Sant'Angelo
Welcome to Monte Sant'Angelo
Hello everyone! Today I would like to talk to you about Monte Sant'Angelo, a small city located in the province of Foggia, in Puglia. With its 11,359 inhabitants, this city is famous worldwide for its sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Christian believers have been making pilgrimages since the 6th century.
Exploring the Physical Geography of Monte Sant'Angelo
The urban centre of Monte Sant'Angelo is located on the Gargano, in a wooded area not far from the sea. One of the peculiar features of the city is that, in addition to having mountainous terrain, it also has flatlands near the coast. The city overlooks the Gulf of Manfredonia and has a topography characterised by a plurality of karst formations, including the famous cave of the Archangel Michael.
Seismicity and Climate
Monte Sant'Angelo is part of the moderate seismic zone of Italy as defined by the National Seismic Service. The city's climate varies depending on the season, with mild summers and cool winters, rarely with snowfall. In winter, there is often dense fog, and the wind can be felt in any month of the year.
The History of Monte Sant'Angelo
The history of Monte Sant'Angelo has very ancient roots. According to tradition, a wealthy landowner named Elvio Emanuele had lost a bull in the area and, after searching for it for days, found it inside a cave. Unable to rescue it, he shot an arrow that, for no apparent reason, came back and injured him. Disturbed, the man narrated the incident to the Bishop of Siponto, Lorenzo Maiorano, who ordered a three-day penance. On the third day, the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Maiorano and ordered him to dedicate the cave to the Christian worship in his name. From that day on, the cave became a Christian place of worship and attracted a large number of pilgrims who travelled the Via Francigena to reach it.
The city was sacked by the Saracens in 871, while in the second half of the 11th century, the "Sacred Cave" became a compulsory destination for the Crusaders who were heading to the Holy Land. In those years, the urban centre developed near the cave, which between 1086 and 1105 became the capital of a vast duchy of Puglia and Calabria founded by Henry of Monte Sant'Angelo, son of the Count of Lucera Roberto. The duchy included the entire Gargano. In 1177, William II of Sicily, King of Sicily, gave Monte Sant'Angelo to his young wife, Joanna of England, calling it "Honor Montis Sancti Angeli".
Conclusion
In conclusion, Monte Sant'Angelo is a small city with great traditions and ancient history. Its stronghold is the sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, a destination for pilgrims for centuries. The city is also known for its peculiar physical geography, where mountain and sea mix. If you were wondering where to spend your holidays, Monte Sant'Angelo is definitely an interesting and history-rich choice!
