Gargano National Park, National park in Apulia, Italy
Gargano National Park is a protected area in the Province of Foggia covering the rocky promontory, deep beech forests, sandy coastal stretches, and the Tremiti Islands offshore. Forested zones occupy the higher slopes, while beaches run along the eastern and northern coasts of the promontory.
Cave paintings in several grottos show that people lived in this area around 15,000 years ago. Monasteries and pilgrimage sites appeared on the hills during the Middle Ages, while fishermen and farmers used the coast and forests.
Older men in the villages around Monte Sant'Angelo sit outside their homes carving figures from olive wood, a skill passed down through generations here. Clay jugs rest in front of workshops along narrow lanes, and the scent of fresh bread mixes with the smell of wild herbs growing on the steep hillsides.
Around fifteen walking routes run through forests and along the coast, suitable for hikers, horse riders, and cyclists. The paths are marked with signs, some passing through shaded areas, others offering views of the sea.
More than 60 different orchid species grow wild here, one of the highest concentrations of this plant family in Europe. In spring, small purple and yellow flowers bloom along the edges of paths and in clearings within the forest.
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