High above the countryside rises the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, the highest town in the Gargano area. A narrow and winding road leads to this well-known place. It is 24 km from another much-visited town called San Giovanni Rotondo.

The Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel is a national monument and the main tourist attraction. The Archangel appeared here over 1500 years ago (492 AD) In the Middle Ages this spot was famous for pilgrimages----crusaders, kings, popes, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena came here.

Another attraction in this hilltop town is the castle which was built in the 9^th century. It was built by a bishop to defend the Sanctuary of Saint Michael. The castle was once used as a fortress, a prison and a palace.

In the 1200s it was used as a prison. In the 1300s it served as a royal fortress. Frederick II used the castle as a palace after enlarging it. The areas of the castle that were used as a prison are evident by the dark tunnels and passageways that lead down from the main section of the castle. Part of the prison area has been restored. We saw a cell complete with a "prisoner" and some meager furnishings including a "cot". There are many other passageways and rooms which are closed to the public. Where the tunnels go is left to your imagination.

The entrance over the moat and some of the rooms in the castle have been restored. The castle has recently been open to the public. There had been quite a rainfall before we arrived and some of the passageways were wet. We had to hop over some puddles.

After we crossed the moat and went through the entrance, there were some narrow stone stairs to climb. This took us to an open area where we had a spectacular view of the countryside and the town. There was a central large open area with archery targets and a catapult. Another open area we saw was a courtyard off the "throne room". As we toured the castle and surroundings there were signs informing us when each section was built.

J.Giannetta, July, 2002