It is the highest place in the Gargano, built on a spur in the southern part of the Garganic Promontory, located at over 800 Mt, with a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Manfredonia; recognized as the Gargano oldest religious centre, with the ancient cathedral built inside a cave, “the Cave of San Michele Arcangelo”, destination of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. It owes its importance to the cult of San Michele Arcangelo, started around 490 AD. with the bishop of Siponto San Lorenzo Maiorano who, after several apparitions of the Archangel Michael, from 490 to 493, decided to build a church inside the famous cave. Sacked by the Saracens in 871, in the second half of the tenth century, the Sacra Grotta became a must for crusaders heading to the Holy Land.
In addition to Church of San Michele, there are many other churches, as the Abbey of Pulsano, which is a few kilometers from Monte Sant’Angelo, from there you can admire the famous hermitages built by Benedictine friars, reachable only through steep and dangerous paths, here the friars dedicated their lives to prayer alone, in total isolation and in complete silence, dedicated to craft work and gardening.
Some of these hermitages can be visited. If you go to Monte Sant’Angelo is a must to taste the famous and delicious bread with the soft crumb and with the crispy crust and the pizza, made daily.