Monte Sant’Angelo is a typical town of the Gargano area, at 806 meters above sea level, along the edge of the Foresta Umbra. It occupies a panoramic position ona southern spur of the promontory, with views on the tableland and on the Gulf of Manfredonia.
Places of interest:
The Itinerary
The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo (the archangel Michael) is one of the most ancient Christian places of worship. It was erected inside the grotto where the archangel appeared before a shepherd between the years 490 and 493.
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The Lombards who had converted to Christianity were particularly devoted to the archangel Michael. Indeed, the location soon became the Lombards’ “national sanctuary” and over the centuries it welcomed prestigious pilgrims, popes, saints, and kings. Quite famous is the episode when Saint Francis of Assisi went on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary in the year 1216. Upon reaching the grotto of the apparitions, one of his footprints remained engraved on the floor.
Padre Pio, too, was greatly devoted to Saint Michael.
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The sanctuary includes several grottoes, to which other constructions were added in later times; the atrium facade and the left portal date back to the second half of the 19th century, while the valuable relief on the right portal dates back to the year 1395. A long staircase carved in the stone starts from the atrium and leads down to the romanesque portal, its bronze door dating back to the year 1076.
Outside the sanctuary is a grand hexagonal bell tower built in 1274, following the will of Charles I of Anjou, and shaped according to the design and proportions of the towers of Castel del Monte.
Plenary Indulgence can be obtained at the sanctuary.