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Visit Manfredonia
Manfredonia is located in the Gargano region of Apulia in south-east Italy, near the Adriatic coast. The town is of medieval origins, but is the "daughter" of the ancient and illustrious city of 'Sipontum' as described by many Latin and Greek authors.
The city plan dates back to the Swabians with the original plan being maintained, although the medieval walls were gradually demolished by the end of the 19th century or incorporated into new buildings constructed on the outskirts of the old town.
Manfredonia Cathedral: At the entrance to the old town, along the Corso Manfredi (the main axis of the town) and the Via Campanile, we reach Manfredonia Cathedral, built after the destruction of the ancient Gothic Cathedral by order of Archbishop Pietro Francesco Orsini (1638-1730) in 1680. The original cathedral was destroyed by the Turks in 1620; after the looting by the Turks the reconstruction was slow. Hardship led to a construction that is more modest than the ancient Cathedral. Further work on the cathedral was carried out in the 17th century. In particular the Archbishop Vincenzo Maria Orsini (later Pope Benedict XIII) recovered the sacred relics, completed the façade and built the Bell (1677). The interior of the Cathedral was decorated by the painter Natale Penati (1884-1955). The Cathedral has three important works of medieval art: the icon of "Madonna di Siponto", a wooden statue of "Madonna with child", called "The Sipontina", and a wooden crucifix from the late 12th century from the Church of “San Leonardo”.
Manfredonia Churches
Another notable religious building in Manfredonia is the Church of San Domenico; the ruins of the Chapel are in the style of the Swabians domination period. After the death of Manfredi the Anjou family completed the construction of the Church (towards the end of the 18th century), when it became a Gothic church with three naves and a rich portal, embellished by two column-bearing Lions. In 1294, close to the Church, the convent of the Dominican Friars Preachers was built - hence it was called “San Domenico”. In the Interior of the Church the most artistically valuable works are the paintings of the "Pietà" and the tree of "Jesse", located in the old chapel, while along the side walls of the nave, on marble altars some Saints were painted by unknown authors.
The Church of San Benedetto consists of a large single nave, with side walls adorned by pairs of pilasters decorated with stucco. Along the walls are four altars, accompanied by three paintings and a crucifix from the 17th century. The paintings depict St. Benedict, St. Lucia and the Assumption (artists unknown). The only paintings signed and dated (1767) are those of the side walls of the presbytery and represent the Annunciation and the Holy family, by the Italian painter F.S. Serio (18th century).
The Church of San Francesco was built in 1348 by Archbishop Peter II, who introduced the order of the Friars Minor . The Church's interior holds a 17th century wooden crucifix and a 17th century painting (“The Nativity”), by Bernardo and Giulio Licinio.
The Church of Santa Chiara was consecrated in 1680 by Cardinal Orsini. Along the side walls of the nave open three large arches on the right and left, below which there are five Baroque altars; four are covered with polychrome marbles and the fifth is engraved wood.
Other sights in Manfredonia
The city centre is in the Piazza del Popolo, overlooked by the Town Hall, the former monastery of San Domenico, which incorporates the remains of the old chapel, built by Charles II of Anjou, called "The lame" (1285-1309). It retains the original façade in the arched portal with two lions (1294-99) and the frame of a rosette (restored); the inside is decorated with contemporary paintings.
Manfredonia Castle, started by King Manfred between 1256 and 1259, was finished under Charles of Anjou. Composing a quadrilateral tower and four angular towers (three cylindrical and one quadrilateral), the latter towers being added in the 15th century. The fourth tower, facing towards the city, was replaced by a pentagonal bastion after the siege of 1528 and is suited to supporting artillery shots. Restored in the 20th century, the castle is now the seat of the National Archaeological Museum of the Gargano.
Museum: among other prehistoric finds there is a Cup from the 6th century BC, some jars in the Mycenaean style, bronzes and ceramics (from Mount Saraceno); the so-called “Stele Daunie” (“Daunia Stone”), in limestone, found mostly in the plain of Siponto. Almost two thousand of these specimens have been found (dating from the 7th-6th century BC). The “stele daunie” are a type of funerary stone monument, from the 'Dauni' civilisation. They are in the shape of a parallelepiped, which protrudes above their heads, and are decorated on all four sides. The figurative scenes represent human figures, animals, funeral scenes and representations of daily activities.
To visit near Manfredoia
A visit to the tourist village of Siponto can be interesting. Today it is a seaside resort near the city of Manfredonia, remarkable for its beach and the sea, rich in shells, starfish, sponges, sea-horses and fish.
See also history of Manfredonia
See the the Puglia travel guide for more places to visit in the same region as Manfredonia.