Rignano Garganico
Rignano Garganico: the smallest municipality in the Gargano region
If you're looking for a peaceful place to spend your summer vacation, Rignano Garganico is the place for you. Located in the province of Foggia, in northern Puglia, Rignano Garganico is a municipality that is appreciated for its beauty and its privileged position, which makes it the smallest municipality in the Gargano promontory.
A town on the hills
Immersed in nature and surrounded by beautiful hills, Rignano Garganico is situated on the top of one of them, offering a breathtaking view over the entire Tavoliere delle Puglie. It's no coincidence that the municipality is nicknamed the "balcony of Puglia". In this place you can admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of the region, ranging from the city of Bari to the peaks of the mountains of Daunia, including Mount Vulture, with the snowy background of the Maiella.
The climate of Rignano Garganico is of the sub-continental Mediterranean type, with cold winters and occasional snowfalls. The inland position of the town means that it is less affected by the marine influence compared to other towns in the Gargano, making it a very pleasant place to visit. Summers are dry and less hot than the Tavoliere, with precipitation around 600 mm per year.
A seismic territory
Rignano Garganico is located in an area classified as "zone 2" of the Italian seismic scale, i.e. medium seismicity. The municipal territory falls within the seismic area of the Gargano, where many earthquakes have occurred throughout history.
Archaeological evidence
The historical and cultural heritage of Rignano Garganico is very rich. Thanks to the archaeological finds discovered in its surroundings, we know that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In fact, in the nearby Paglicci Cave, some parietal paintings dating back to the Upper Paleolithic have been found. Numerous finds have been found in the same site, dating back to the Middle and Lower Paleolithic.
In the cave, some dolmens have also been found, megalithic structures dating back to about 3000-4000 years ago. The first of these monuments was discovered in the Piana della Madonna di Cristo, in the vicinity of the Paglicci cave.
History of the municipality
The first documented news of Rignano Garganico dates back to 1029. However, the town has much older origins, dating back to the Paleolithic era. Over the centuries, the town has been disputed by many different peoples, from the ancient Romans to the Normans. In 1158, Rignano Garganico became part of the Montesacro Abbey, an event that definitively established its existence as an autonomous municipality.
The toponym Rignano derives from a Latin personal name: Herennius, which indicated a person who was the beneficiary of a property. It was often veterans who received the property from the emperor, and the place was called Herinnianu(m). This type of toponym is very widespread throughout the area where Romance languages are spoken.
Rignano Garganico has been visited by many historical figures, including Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who would have said "Rignano, reign as much as you want, I'm not going up there", referring to its elevated position.
If you're looking for a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, Rignano Garganico is the ideal place for you. Come and discover the history and culture of this fascinating town and enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of the hill.
