What is Vico del Gargano known for?

The Village of Love, patroned by Saint Valentine since the early seventeenth century, with the Vicolo del Bacio as its public emblem. DOP Gargano citrus, lemons and oranges grown on terraces stepping down toward the coast, a Slow Food Presidium grove. Ancient beech and oak forest of Gargano National Park, with stretches inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests.

Where is Vico del Gargano?

Vico del Gargano is a comune in the province of Foggia, Apulia region of Italy, about 98 kilometers from Foggia.

Apulia · Foggia

Vico del Gargano

A Gargano hill townwith a Norman castle, a kiss alley, and DOP citrus groves stepping down to the Adriatic.

98 km / 61 mi

Nearest hub (Foggia)

7,290

Population

Apr–Oct

Best time to visit

Recognised as

Why come

Vico del Gargano sitson a rocky promontory inside Gargano National Park, with the territory falling from the 782-meter heights of the Foresta Umbra to the beaches of San Menaio and Calenella. The first urban core, called Vicus, was founded around 970 by Sueripolo of the Slavonians on land granted by Byzantine authorities. The Norman castle of the eleventh century was enlarged in 1240 by Frederick II and reinforced again in 1292, anchoring a defensive system of twenty towers. Saint Valentine has been the town's patron since the early seventeenth century, and Vico is known as the Paese dell'Amore. The Vicolo del Bacio in the centro storico is wide enough for two only if they stand close, which is how local tradition tells passers to seal their relationship. Gargano citrus, lemons and oranges with DOP mark, has been the signature crop since the nineteenth century. Vico entered the Borghi più belli d'Italia network for the survival of its thirteen-church centro storico and the density of its trappeti, the underground olive mills.

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Gallery

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Known for

Castello Normanno-Svevo
Eleventh-century Norman castle enlarged in 1240 by Frederick II and again in 1292, the anchor of the medieval defensive system of twenty towers and walls.
Centro storico e Vicolo del Bacio
Medieval old town of about thirteen churches and chapels, with the Kiss Alley, a passage so narrow that walking it touching is the local prescription for lasting love.
Foresta Umbra
Beech and oak ancient forest of Gargano National Park, reaching 830 meters within the municipal territory, with trails to centuries-old turkey oaks.
Trappeti ipogei
Underground olive mills carved into the rock under the historic center, used to press the Gargano harvest from the late Middle Ages through the nineteenth century.
San Menaio e Calenella
Coastal frazioni of the commune, with sand beaches, pine groves and the Adriatic line at the foot of the Gargano cliffs.

When to visit

Best months · Apr–Oct

Best
Hot or crowded
Quiet
Mostly closed

April through June and September through October are the months Vico is at its best: the citrus groves in flower or in fruit, the Foresta Umbra in green or autumn rust, and the centro storico mild at 445 meters while the coast below stays swimmable. July and August are hot on the coast and busy at San Menaio; the centro keeps a few degrees cooler than the beach. The Saint Valentine feast on February 14 turns the village into a pilgrimage and a wedding stage. November through March is cool and often wet, with Adriatic storms rolling up the cliff line; the trappeti tours and the castle stay open by appointment in low season.