Monte Sant'Angelo

Monte Sant'Angelo
Comune
Comune di Monte Sant'Angelo

Shrine of St Michael
Coat of arms of Monte Sant'Angelo
Coat of arms
Monte Sant'Angelo

Location of Monte Sant'Angelo in Italy

Coordinates: 41°42′N 15°58′E / 41.700°N 15.967°E / 41.700; 15.967Coordinates: 41°42′N 15°58′E / 41.700°N 15.967°E / 41.700; 15.967
Country Italy
Region  Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city Foggia (FG)
Frazioni Marina di Monte Sant’Angelo (Macchia), Ruggiano
Government
  Mayor Andrea Cantadori, Alberto Monno, Sebastiano Giangrande (extraordinary commission)
Area
  Total 242 km2 (93 sq mi)
Elevation 796 m (2,612 ft)
Population (1 September 2015)[1]
  Total 12,719
  Density 53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Montanari
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 71037
Dialing code 0884
Patron saint St. Michael
Saint day September 29
Website Official website

Monte Sant'Angelo is a town and comune of Apulia, southern Italy, in the province of Foggia, on the southern slopes of Monte Gargano.

History

Monte Sant'Angelo as a town appeared only in the 11th century. Between 1081 and 1103, Monte Sant'Angelo was the capital of a large Norman dominion under the control of Count Henry, who was a vassal of the Byzantine Empire. The grotto which houses the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel where according to legend, St. Michael appeared in 490, 492 and 493, has been the site of many famous pilgrimages, which started from Mont Saint-Michel. Pope John Paul II visited the sanctuary in 1987.

In the 17th century the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples, to which it belonged until the unification of Italy in the 19th century.

Main sights

The most important attraction of Monte Sant'Angelo is the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, built in the 13th century by Charles I of Anjou. On June 25, 2011 the World Heritage Committee added the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant'Angelo to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Sanctuary is one of the seven groups of historic buildings included in the World Heritage Site "Longobards in Italy. Places of the power (568-774 A.D.)".

Other sights of Monte Sant'Angelo include:

Economy

Monte Sant'Angelo's economy is still largely based on agriculture and breeding. A certain touristical importance is related to the presence of the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel.

Employment

The majority of the working population own farmland, raise cattle, run bakeries, restaurants, or stores. Often stores and businesses are family owned.

The population of Monte Sant'Angelo remains relatively small due to lack of employment in town. Often, young men leave to find work in nearby Manfredonia or elsewhere. Due to this the majority of the population is retired and elderly.

Transportation

Monte Sant'Angelo can be reached by road through the Foggia-Monte Sant'Angelo SP.55 provincial road. The SP.89 provincial road passes through the frazione of Macchia.

International relations

Monte Sant'Angelo is twinned with:

Monte Sant'Angelo
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location Province of Foggia, Italy
Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates 41°42′00″N 15°58′00″E / 41.7°N 15.9667°E / 41.7; 15.9667
Area 245.13 km2 (2.6386×109 sq ft)
Criteria ii, iii, vi
Reference 1318
Inscription 2011 (21st Session)
Website www.montesantangelo.it
Location of Monte Sant'Angelo

See also

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
  2. Monte Santangelo – Il castello


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