The Gargano: what to see
Pugnochiuso is located within the Gargano National Park, the largest park in Italy with the highest level of biodiversity in Europe.
The Gargano National Park
The whole area has been protected by the Gargano National Park since 1991 which, with its 120,000 hectares and 12 different ecosystems is the largest in Italy and the one with the highest level of biodiversity in Europe.
There are not only almost 150 uninterrupted kilometres of bays, beaches and coves in the Gargano, but also the dense Umbra Forest.
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Sea Caves
Among the main karst phenomena of the Apulian coast are the caves, sculpted by the thousands of years of rainwater and by the corrosive activity of the sea. The picturesque setting of caves, chasms, sinkholes and overhangs is made magical by the reflections of light on stalactites, stalagmites and ravines.
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Mattinata
Mattinata is the only town on the Apulian coast facing south, it is located approximately 20 kilometres from Pugnochiuso. In its compound foothills, the sea is the absolute protagonist of the landscape. Its south facing position and the particularly favourable climatic conditions allow the production of a particularly fine oil.
Vieste
Vieste is a medieval village of ancient origins. Famous for its legend of Pizzomunno, the natural white monolith that stands at 25 metres on the city's coastline: according to the myth, Pizzomunno a young man, was turned into stone by mermaids who were jealous of his love for the beautiful Cristalda.
Tremiti Islands
The archipelago inhabited since the Neolithic era, has been a marine nature reserve since 1989, included in the Gargano National Park for an extraordinary presence of underwater fauna and flora. The importance of wildlife on the Tremiti Islands is also evidenced by a considerable concentration of migratory birds including the Eleanora Falcon, the Peregrine Falcon and the only colony on the Adriatic of the Scopoli’s Shearwater and the Manx Shearwater.
Umbra Forest
The Umbra Forest Nature Reserve is a protected area located in the innermost part of the Gargano National Park. It owes its name to the dense vegetation that makes it very shady in many parts. Its Beech Woods became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The Gargano and the Umbra Forest can be defined as “the kingdom of biodiversity”, since it holds 40% of the Italian flora and 70% of the nesting birds in our country.
San Giovanni Rotondo
The town of San Giovanni Rotondo is known as a destination for pilgrims who flock to pay homage to the remains of Padre Pio (San Pio da Pietralcina).
Although the historical centre is rich in churches and traditions, the attention of the vast majority of the faithful is concentrated on the places of cult linked to Padre Pio, namely the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (formed by the Capuchin Monastery, an ancient church and a new church both dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie), the San Giovanni Rotondo hospital and the new San Pio Sanctuary. The huge contemporary style new Sanctuary, with its 6,000 m2 (capable of holding 7000 people at one time, leaving a large safety margin) is one of the largest churches in Italy in terms of size. It is decorated with splendid mosaics and also houses a huge organ with 5,814 pipes.
Alberobello
A unique town originating from the second half of the sixteenth century located on two hills characterized by a thick vegetation of almond and olive trees that thrive on a karst terrain. On the western side of the town are the "trulli", an urban area divided into two areas: Monti and Aia Piccola, which wind along the steep and winding streets. Going up the hill and along the narrow streets you can easily visit the insides of these particular houses. Both areas are national monuments and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Monte Sant’Angelo
Monte Sant’Angelo is a charming medieval town, 800 metres above sea level, home to the homonymous sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael. The Baptistery of San Giovanni Tomba and the Norman-Suebi-Aragonese Castle in the town centre are also of historical and artistic interest.