Manfredonia is located on the edge of the Tavoliere, on the largest gulf of the central-southern Adriatic. It is the port and maritime city par excellence in the province of Foggia.
The name of the city derives from that of Manfredi, king of Sicily, who was the natural son of Frederick II, who founded it in the mid-thirteenth century to transfer the inhabitants of nearby Sipontum, destroyed by the Saracen raids and an earthquake. Manfredi built the castle there in 1256 which was then renovated in the sixteenth century. In its present form, it houses the National Museum of Gargano.
When we talk about Manfredonia, we cannot help but remember its gulf, its port, which is becoming increasingly popular from a tourist point of view, and is the vital element of the local economy. In a succession of free spaces and modern bathing facilities, the arm of the sea, which extends for over 20 kilometers south of Manfredonia, always offers tourists various possibilities. There is also no shortage of tourist villages and camping sites for those who love to live even more in contact with nature.
The city retains the charm that King Manfred gave it in ancient times. In recent years, the Carnival of Manfredonia has also become very attractive, animated by allegorical floats, parades of characters linked to the Italian and local carnival tradition, with the inevitable participation of the Sipontina mask of “Ze ‘Peppe”.
In the streets, in the white alleys of the historic center, you can breathe a frank, genuine, typically Apulian air.
Not to be missed
The Swabian Castle The castle of Manfredonia is the result of transformations, extensions and renovations that took place in different eras. Originally the whole structure consisted of a quadrilateral space enclosed by a wall connected by five square towers. It houses the National Archaeological Museum which collects numerous “Stele Daune” of the sixth and seventh centuries.
Cathedral The Cathedral of Manfredonia is dedicated to God under the invocation of San Lorenzo Maiorano, bishop of Siponto; designed by a French architect, it is in the Gothic style. The dome of the Cathedral is 17, 60 meters high from the floor of the presbytery, the circumference is 30 meters.
Basilica di S. Leonardo Located 10 km from Manfredonia on the S.S. 89 for Foggia, the church was an integral part of a distinguished abbey complex of the Teutonic Knights, built between the end of the century. XI and the beginning of the XII century. The temple layout consists of three naves with three semicircular apses.
Church of S. Domenico Located in Piazza del Popolo, the church of San Domenico with the adjacent convent was built by Charles II of Anjou between 1294 and 1299 and inhabited by the Dominican Fathers until the invasion of the Turks (1620).
Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore The Basilica is located 3 km from Manfredonia on the S.S. 89 for Foggia. At the beginning this church was an ancient temple of Diana. The church of San Giovanni was built on the temple and in 1098 the current church.
National Museum The Museum was established in 1968. It houses the entire archaeological collection of the area and tells, through its finds, the rich history of the ancient Sipontina lagoon. Of particular interest is the collection of Daune steles, a schematic representation of the human figure, mostly coming from the lagoon area.
How to get to Manfredonia
By car From the North: A-14 motorway, exit at Foggia, continue on the HIGHWAY S.S.89 Foggia-Manfredonia. From the Center: Motorway A-1 (Rome-Naples) or A-24 (Rome-Pescara) exit at Foggia, continue on the HIGHWAY S.S.89 to Manfredonia. From the Tyrrhenian South: Motorway A-16 (Naples-Bari) exit at Candela, towards Foggia and continue on the SUPERSTRADA S.S.89. From the Ionian-Adriatic South: Motorway A-14 (Taranto-Bari) take the Foggia exit, continue on the S.S.89 SUPERSTRADA towards Manfredonia.
On the train Once at Foggia station, connection with local trains to Manfredonia or supplementary bus service.
By plane From Bari “Palese” airport and “G. Lisa ”in Foggia, transfer by public or scheduled transport.
Useful links
www.marinadelgargano.it www.parcogargano.it/servizi/notizie/notizie_homepage.aspx www.gargano.it
