The Gargano Peninsula is one of Italy's most attractive natural areas! Its blue skies, deep forests and jagged coastline are a paradise for nature lovers, although most of its beaches belong to hotels or camping sites and are not very accessible. Umbra Forest, comprising over 11,000ha, is ideal for hiking. Vieste, an ancient town dominated by a 13C castle, is connected to Mattinata by a beautiful cliff road overlooking the coast.

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Vieste

Faraglione di Pizzomunno

71019 Vieste

Nature and gardens

This limestone sea-stack stands to the south of Vieste, on an immense beach of fine sand.

Santuario di S. Michele (Sanctuary of St Michael)

V. della Basilica 71037 Monte Sant' Angelo

Religious buildings

Built in the Romanesque-Gothic transition style, the sanctuary has an isolated octagonal campanile. There is a long covered staircase leading to the very attractive bronze door, a Byzantine work dating from 1076, which leads to the nave covered in ogives opening onto the cave where St Michael appeared to the Bishop of Siponto. The marble statue of the Saint, is by Andrea Sansovino.

Tomba di Rotari (Tomb of Rotharis)

V. della Basilica 71037 Monte Sant' Angelo

Religious buildings

Rotharis was the King of the Lombards in the 7C. It appears that this monument whose entrance is surmounted by scenes from the life Christ, was really a Baptistry. Inside, notice how a square, an octagon and a triangle are superimposed up to the dome.

Foresta Umbra

71019 Vieste

Nature and gardens

This woodland is unique in the Puglia region... It is a vast forest of beech, maple, pine trees, oaks, chestnut trees and very old yew trees that covers 11 000ha of valleys. A marvellous tourist attraction, it makes for a rewarding excursion.

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MICHELIN Travel

Gargano Peninsula