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My Old Village in South Italy: Vico del Gargano
Vico del Gargano is a town and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia (Puglia) region of southeast Italy. Called the “Village of Love”, is part of the Gargano National Park and the Mountain Community of Gargano.
The village is part of the Gargano National Park elected one of the The 31 Places to Go in 2010 from the New York Times, offering you the best of a ecological holiday, and the opportunity to learn about the ancient origins boasted by the great archeological value
Geography
The historical center of Vico del Gargano is a magnificent example of civic architecture that has been extraordinarily well preserved through the .
You can get maps of the city centre at the Information Point, in c.so Umberto 16. The map will guide you to many of the main attractions in Vico including Trappeto Maratea, the castle of Frederic the Second, della Bella Palace, and Vicolo del Bacio or ‘Alley of the Kiss’.
But, as with all Italian hill-top towns you are meant to simply have a good wander through the narrow streets and arched passageways, discovering small public squares, shops and restaurants along the way. Visiting the city centre in the evening is especially magical as the city turns it’s spotlights on to the city walls, transforming it into shimmering tumble of medieval walls, terra-cotta rooftops, and locals on their evening strolls.
Areas of the Town
The Historical Centre and Its Churches
Vico del Gargano is also famous for the number of churches and chapels that comprise its historical centre and neighbourhoods. There are about thirteen of them in total. Many are very simple in design have been built for the purpose of local worship.
The oldest church dates back to the 6th century and is called the Matrix Church or Chiesa Matrice. It is located near the historical centre of Vico and its red cupola dominates the city’s skyline.
It houses the statue of the Patron Saint of the city, Saint Valentine; a statute which preserves the relics of the Saint. There are a number of festivals and events celebrating this Saint’s day. There are five more churches in the historical centre, including the Church of Saint Joseph, which holds a famous wooden sculpture of the dead Christ, used in processions on Good Friday.
These five churches, among others, are centres of the Confraternite, an ancient Vichese tradition handed from generation to generation.
These five churches, among others, are centres of the Confraternite, an ancient Vichese tradition handed from generation to generation.
Vico del Gargano is also a great escape for gourmet people, with fabulous food: fresh seafood, olives, bread, cheese like Gargano Podolico Caciocavallo part of slow food presidia, Citrus Fruits like Duretta oranges at Christmas, Bionda oranges from April to May, Femminello lemons throughout the year as well listed in the slow food presidia . The inhabitants of Gargano are all kind and friendly people. Whether you speak to some ordinary people or you meet a rich businessman, there is no difference; the warmth of the Latin people can be found everywhere. They receive their visitors in the best way possible; if you choose to visit Gargano and to go to some bars(best venue Bar Pasticceria Pizzicato) with free tapas look alike food, you’ll notice this fact: everybody is willing to help and to explain different things about local specialities and traditions to you.
Nearest towns:
Rodi Garganico (10 km)– from here you can take tour boats to visit the “Tremiti Islands” 2 hours away and a tour of the natural sea grottoes. Recent construction of an elegant tourist port.
San Menaio (6 km)– by the sea – shops, restaurants and small hotels, tourist town with sand beaches.
Peschici (12 km) – on the sea – famous coast town – it develops on a rocky peninsula in the sea, beautiful with its white fisherman’s houses –beautiful historical centre – Castle – more refined shops and in the summer with lots of events – Small port , from here you can take tour boats to visit the “Tremiti Islands” 2 hours away and a tour of the natural sea grottoes. You will find people that speak English.
Vieste (40 km) – by the sea – amazing historical centre , beautiful coast, German and English tourism, new port that can host sailing boats – well known cinema festival – beautiful sea walk with palm trees. Shops, internet points…
What’s amazing about this area is that you can have everything, from men that still go to work their land on their donkeys and at the same time you can easily reach towns with all modern facilities. Nature is also at its best! The “Foresta Umbra” a unique ancient forest only 5 km from town!!!
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