Holiday apartment in Foggia: nature, culture and Dauno DOP olive oil

Foggia combines urban history with impressive natural and cultural landscapes. Lago Salso, formerly Daunia-Risi, is particularly notable: in the Province of Foggia, it is a wetland covering approximately 540 hectares between the Manfredonia plain and the Ofanto River. Lago Salso is part of the Gargano National Park and is home to numerous waterbirds throughout the year. In winter, 10,000 to 20,000 ducks gather there, including several rare and endangered species.

Nature

Foresta Umbra in the Province of Foggia exhibits the phenomenon of “faggete depresse”, characteristic of the Gargano. This means that, due to special microclimatic conditions, beech trees grow at unusually low elevations. The park authority describes Foresta Umbra as one of the most species-rich forests in Italy. In the heart of the forest there are tourist facilities, including a museum, the forester's lodge and equipped areas with fallow deer, wild boar and mouflon.

The marked trail network of Foresta Umbra covers a total of approximately 54 km. It includes 15 marked hiking trails with directional signs, place names and trail markings. At the Museo Naturalistico della Foresta Umbra, visitors can purchase a hiking map of the Umbra and information material from the Gargano National Park, and rent mountain bikes.

Culture and history

The Museo Civico di Foggia displays archaeological finds from prehistory to the Roman era, including finds from Arpi and other ancient settlements. The museum's lapidarium preserves sculptures and architectural fragments dating from the early Christian period to the 19th century. The ethnographic section includes the reconstructed home of a rural family from the Gargano dating from the early 20th century, with depictions of weaving and breadmaking.

The prehistoric past is also present in the surrounding area. The archaeological park Parco archeologico di Passo Corvo preserves the remains of a Neolithic settlement that was active between the 5th and 4th millennia BC. The park covers approximately 130 hectares and allows visitors to view reconstructed scenes of Neolithic daily life, including a full-size hut and a ditch. The Parco urbano e archeologico Campi Diomedei in Foggia covers a total of 23 hectares.

Foggia Cathedral was built in the 12th century in the Apulian Romanesque style. It houses the Iconavetere, also known as Madonna dei Sette Veli. Solemn ceremonies in honour of the Iconavetere take place in Foggia every year. Chiesa di San Tommaso was probably the first place of worship in the emerging city of Foggia and was rebuilt after the 1731 earthquake. It houses numerous paintings by the painter Nicola Montagano, who came from Foggia.

Chiesa delle Croci, also known as Chiesa del Monte Calvario, is considered the only national monument in the city of Foggia. It comprises seven monuments that replaced seven original crosses. Beneath Chiesa delle Croci is a small crypt called Terra Santa. Via Arpi is a starting point for exploring Foggia's underground spaces.

Culinary delights

Dauno DOP extra virgin olive oil is produced in the Province of Foggia from various olive varieties grown there. Dauno DOP olive oil uses the geographical designations Alto Tavoliere, Basso Tavoliere, Gargano and Sub-Appennino. Its production permits only mechanical and physical processes that preserve the fruit's quality characteristics unchanged.

City and routes

The Archivio di Stato di Foggia is located in Palazzo Dogana. The documents kept there are freely available for consultation, subject to legal exceptions. Foggia also has a dedicated cycling connection between the intermodal hub at the railway station and Gino Lisa Airport.

Other places

Lido Del Sole, Mattinata, Peschici, Rodi Garganico, San Menaio, Vieste, Pugnochiuso, Vico Del Gargano, Trinitapoli, San Giovanni Rotondo, Manfredonia, Lucera, Ischitella, Foggia, San Domino, Foce Varano, Lauro, Candela, Carpino, San Marco In Lamis, San Paolo Di Civitate, Giardinetto Vecchio, Celenza Valfortore, Bovino, Lesina, Castelluccio Dei Sauri, Cagnano Varano, San Severo, Cerignola, Volturara Appula, Monte Sant'angelo, Rignano Garganico, Serracapriola, Orta Nova, Borgo Celano, Troia, Rocchetta Sant'antonio, Chieuti, Zapponeta, San Nicola Di Tremiti, Alberona, Sant'agata Di Puglia, Faeto, Motta Montecorvino, Tomaiolo, Roseto Valfortore, Accadia, Deliceto, Segezia, Torremaggiore, San Nicandro Garganico, Stornara, Torre Mileto, Poggio Imperiale, San Marco La Catola

For the higher-level travel overview: Apulia.