Photo: Sanctuary of St Michael, Monte Sant'Angelo by Bernard Gagnon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
History. One of the oldest shrines to St Michael in the West: a natural cave on the Gargano promontory, venerated since late antiquity. It was a major sanctuary of the Lombards and a great medieval pilgrim goal, where Crusaders and pilgrims stopped on their way to the Apulian ports. Since 2011 it has been part of the UNESCO site "The Longobards in Italy: Places of Power" (UNESCO).
Legend. According to the Liber de apparitione, Michael appeared to the Bishop of Siponto in the 490s and later declared that he had consecrated the cave himself, so it's called the "Celestial Basilica" that was never consecrated by human hands.
Visiting
- You go down the 86-step Angevin staircase and through bronze doors cast in Constantinople (11th century) into the grotto (sanctuary site).
- October hours: weekdays 7:30–12:30 and 14:30–19:00; Sundays and holidays 7:00–13:00 and 14:30–20:00. Hours change by season (official hours). Tel. +39 0884 561150.
- Nearest airports: Bari and Foggia. The town is also home to the Lombard tomb of Rotari and an old quarter of white houses.
Next: Symi
Fly Bari → Athens → Rhodes (or a seasonal direct flight ⚠), then take a ferry to Symi.
Sources
Last verified: October 15, 2026. Prices, hours and rules change: confirm with the official source before you go.