The shrine rises at the crossroads of Manfredonia, S. Giovanni Rotondo
and the Umbra Forest. As we enter we find ourselves in the Upper Atrium
where in a corner rises the majestic bell-tower known as the "Torre Angioina"
(Angevin Tower).
The tower was built by Carlo I d'Angiò, (Charles I d'Anjou),
in thanksgiving to Saint Michael for the conquest of southern Italy. The
work began on 27 March 1274 during the pontificate of Gregory X (1271 -
1276). The tower was designed by the architect Giordano, a native of Monte
Sant'Angelo, who directed the work with his brother Maraldo.
The tower, of octagonal shape, was completed in 1282 and was originally
40 metres high. It was later shortened to the actual 27 metres for unknown
reason, according to someone because of lightning or to place the bell.
The tower is at present divided into four floors with round arches
and with variously decorated cornices. In particular the corbels between
the second and third floors are embellished with floreal and geometric
designs. One can admire some architectural elements of rare beauty on the
various floors, a beautiful single window and four exquisite mullioned
windows of which three have Gothic arches and the fourth has an arch in
full relief.
Inside the bell-tower are three domed cells and another with pointed
timber frame. A spiral staircase made directly in the massive wall leads
to the top of the bell-tower. On the top floor five bells face each other
from four arched openings. The largest bell, the sixth one, occupies the
centre of the octagon and goes back to 1666.
