Vico del Gargano, Province of Foggia, Puglia

Situated on a hill midway between sea and forest, with the the majectic Foresta Umbra in the hinterland, with fascinating camping sites and naturalistic routes. The town is known as "citrus land", thanks to the presence of over 80 natural springs which explain the rich production of oranges of the species "Arancia bionda del Gargano" and lemons "Limone Femminello del Gargano", a great economy asset for the area, along with the more recent tourism development, mostly at the sea hamlet of San Menaio and Calenella.

Info

Altitude: mt a.s.l
Population: about 6500 inhabitants
Zip/postal code: 71018
Dialing Area Code: +39 0884
Patron Saint: St. Valentino celebrated 14 February

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Provinces of Puglia

Italian Regions

History

The name derives from the Latin "vicus", village. The territory was inhabited since the remotest ages, as can be seen from paleolitic remains (in the Foresta Umbra) and neolithic (in Cardona), of the iron age on Monte Tabor and the early Christian necropolis at Monte Pucci. the present center was established in 970 when Sueripolo, a Slavic condottiere, after driving the Saracens out of Gargano, was rewarded by emperor Otto with a settlement here for his population.

In the 11th century the whole Gargano peninsula was conquered by the Normans, who built a fortress, later enlarged by Swabian emperor Frederick II 1240. In 1495 King Ferdinand II Aragon donated the fiefdom to Galeazzo Caracciolo, a Neapolitan nobleman, as a reward for the latter's victory over the Turks at Otranto. Colantonio, Galeazzo's successor, was the first marquis of Vico.

What to see

The Medieval Center with the 3 ancient quarters and the Swabian walls, once containing 22 towers
The Gargano National Park
The Convento dei Cappuccini, in whose entry avenue is one of the most precious trees in Apulia, an oaktree over 1000 years old.

Where to stay

Hotels: 3-stars, 2-stars, 1-star
Campsites