FOLK AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

Gargano was already famous in the times of the Crusades because of the pilgrimages of soldiers from the Cathedral of the "Archangel Saint Michael " to Monte Sant'Angelo. Religious sites of interest

In Apulia, and specially in Gargano area, there are not only festivals to celebrate the Saint Protectors, but there are several religious and folk festivals. Some festivals doesn’t have the same date to be celebrate and their reasons are several, they celebrate goods country, to be thankful for the harvest, or for a local fair.

JANUARY

17.01 Sannicandro Garganico: Saint Antonio and Saint Sebastiano bonfire.

17.01 Sannicandro Garganico: Falò di San Sebastiano

FEBRUARY

02.02 Sannicandro Garganico: Saint Biagio bonfire.

12-13-14.02 Vico del Gargano: Saint Valentino. He is a protector of the city and the citrus fruit trees. In this day who pass through the “vicolo del bacio”, very narrow street, will meet his Valentino love. This street is large only 50 centimetres, and the legend says that the lovers used to meet each others in this narrow street so they can touch each other without any suspicious. During this festivals days all balconies, narrow streets and churches are decorated by citrus fruit and there are such a good smell in the air. That’s way Saint Valentino is very important in Vico del Gargano, because is protect citrus fruit from the winter and help everyone to meet the love of life.

22-23-24.02 Rodi Garganico: Rodi Carnival, with masquerade groups parade.

22-23-24.02 Sannicandro Garganico: Sannicandro Carnival, with masquerade groups parade

MARCH

19.03 Bovino: Saint Joseph bonfire.

19.03 Mattinata: Saint Joseph bonfire.

19.03 San Marco in Lamis: Saint Joseph bonfire.

APRIL

Rignano Garganico: Celebration of  Christ’s Madonna.

07.04 Peschici: country festival

22-23.04 Ischitella: SS. Annunziata and Varano’s Crucifix. On the east coastline of the Varano lake  there is a church dedicated to the Holy Crucifix with a beautiful wood crucifix of 1300. The April 23rd 1717 this Crucifix saved the harvest from the drought of that days. So every year there is a solemn procession and fireworks at the end of the day.