Abbazia di Santa Maria di Pulsano, Medieval abbey on Pulsano hill, Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy
Abbazia di Santa Maria di Pulsano is a monastery complex built on Pulsano hill near Monte Sant'Angelo in Italy. The site contains 24 hermitages carved directly into the limestone cliffs, with views that stretch across the Gulf of Manfredonia and surrounding Gargano valleys.
The abbey was founded in 591, possibly built over ruins of an ancient sacred site. After suffering destruction, it was rebuilt in 1129 under San Giovanni da Matera's direction.
The abbey blends Latin and Byzantine traditions that you can see in its spaces and decorations. Monks and visitors experience how these two religious worlds met and shaped the place.
Access to the abbey requires pressing a button at the left side of the entrance gate. Wear sturdy shoes when exploring the site, as the paths and ground are uneven and rocky.
The hermitages contained hidden systems for grain processing, wine production, and water storage built into the mountain itself. These practical features were so well integrated into the rock that visitors hardly notice them at first.
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