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Welcome to Rignano Garganico

Places on Gargano

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Rignano Garganico

Population: 2.440 inhabitants
Altitude: m 590 s.l.m.
Area: 88.930 kmq
Postal Code: 71010

This small Garganic centre lies at the peak of a hill, which from high-ground one can enjoy a splendid view of the Tavoliere lands: a striking and enchanting panorama, that you can admire for hours upon hours without ever getting tired. Thanks to this position, the municipality has become known as the "Balcone della Puglia" and many lovers of hang-gliding use its steep high-grounds as a launch pad for their flights.

The earlist documented information of the town date back to 1100, however its annexation is dated 1158 at the Montasacro Abbey,an event that, as a fact, sanctioned the existence of Rignano Garganico. The town boasts far more ancient origins, that date back to the end of the Prehistoric Age, like the finds discovered in the archeological sites that rest in its surroundings will testify.

There is an archeological legacy of incalculable value, at the slopes of the mountains which this municipality rests, bearing in mind that in the neighboring Grotta Paglicci some parietal paintings have been deciphered , which allowed the researchers to trace the finds back to the exact historical collocation and that is, the Superior Palaeolithic.

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Not to miss

Paglicci Cave

Since 1961 til today, more than 40,000 findings have been discovered: several stone tools, partial or entire human skeletons, artistic furniture, wall paintings of horses (two small and one big, the latter is almost completely disappeared; a horse leg that should be part of a bigger painting, made over the vault of the current Cave entrance), handprints (positive and negative), fireplaces, animal remnants and other things. The town has been waiting for the construction of a museum for a long time, which would bring the main part of the findings to Rignano, and particularly the sought after tourist movement.
Currently, the excavations are performed by a team of experts of the Archeology and Arts History Department of Siena�??s University, led by Professor Arturo Palma Di Cesnola, honorary citizen of Rignano, having also Apulian origins (Lucera). During the last excavation campaign (1998) several graffiti, upon bones and stone, were discovered, dating back to a span of time between 13,000 and 25,000 years ago. They are not flawless nor partial, and only one has been deciphered, representing a deer with beautiful ropes, big eyes and an elongated muzzle. Some of them, still under study, could revolutionize the world of prehistory.

Spagnoli Cave

For many years (1970s) Spagnoli Cave has been a place of excavations and study, carried out by a University project of Florence, led by Prof. Guerri.
The major part of the findings, discovered after a few years, are dated back to the Middle Paleolithic age, between 80,000 and 40,000 years ago.
We should attribute the discovered stone industry to a very original phase of Mousterian Age.
Moreover, items of likely volcanic origin have been discovered inside the cave, studied by Prof. Magaldi of the Institute of Mineralogy and Geology of Florence University.

Palazzo Baronale

The Baronial Castle-Palace could have been built between 1095 and 1129, on an ancient and rudimentary structure. The cylindrical tower near the palace, instead, seems to have been built years before, by Byzantines (X-XI century). Also in this case, it seems to be built upon a previous structure.

Historical Centre

This small Garganic town has a very ancient origin, and its historical centre is full of alleys and and small streets, like a maze, and this gives it a profound charm.

Varano Lake

The largest lake in Southern Italy (60.5 km�?). It is quadrangular and separated from the sea by a strip of sand 10 km long. The strip of dunes near the sea is covered by a thick wooded area, where pine trees, eucalyptus and mastics prevail. It communicates with the sea through two ship canals: Foce Varano and Foce Capoiale. The lake is fostered by several submerged sources of fresh water, originating from the neighbouring mountains of Cagnano Varano. It is famous for eel fishing (anguilla vulgaris).

Palazzo Baronale

Ancient Norman fortress, symbol of feudalism, it was restored several times over the years.

S. Michele Cave

Legend tells of the apparition of the Archangel Michael to some natives, who dedicated an altar to him. Water drips from the vault of the cave, and it is collected with specific containers: one of these is dedicated to Saint Lucia. At the bottom of the cave we find the high altar with a statue of the Archangel. There are two smaller altars dedicated to Saint Raphael and the �??Santissima Annunziata�?�.

Mother Church of Santa Maria della Piet?�;

It has a Latin cross layout and is Baroque, inside there are wooden statues of Saint Peter and Paul; on the left nave we find an eighteenth century bust representing the �??Addolorata�?�, and the statue of Santa Maria Maggiore; on the right nave there are the ancient wooden statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and the �??Assunta�?�.

Church of SS. Crocifisso of Varano

As legend has it, the city of Uria disappeared here; near the church, inside a small natural oxbow, there are remnants of Medieval buildings, and in the lake there is a crucifix which emerges from the water during low tide hours.