Mysterious Gargano: Apulian legends and curiosities
Apulian legends and curiosities: the mysteries of the Gargano
Discover the Gargano's most fascinating legends. Among myths and curiosities, a journey into the heart of the most magical and mysterious Apulia.
Mysterious Gargano: Apulian legends and curiosities
There are so many interesting facts about Apulia. Inhabited over the centuries by different peoples, it has been traversed by fascinating cultures that have influenced thought and stories to this day.
The Gargano, in particular, is one of the areas of Apulia that is most shrouded in an aura of mystery.
The reason why is kept in the shady caves, among the dense vegetation of the forests and in the deep depths.
There are some magical places and famous myths that have aroused the curiosity of many. Let us discover them together.
Apulian legends and myths of the Gargano
Diomedes and the Legend of the Tremiti Islands
The legend tells that after the Trojan War, the hero of the Iliad first created the Subapennine Mountains and the Gargano using two large rocks from the ruined city of Pergamon. Then, he threw the remaining stones into the sea, giving rise to the Tremiti Islands, also known as the Diomedean Islands. The tale continues with the hero's death on the island of San Nicola, where his companions, transformed into birds by Aphrodite, stand watch over his tomb day and night.
Discover the Tremiti Islands and what to visit in the Gargano.
The legend of Pizzomunno and Cristalda
Pizzomunno and Cristalda were two young lovers who enjoyed walking hand in hand along the beach of Vieste. The sirens who lived in the deep waters of the coast were consumed with jealousy over the couple’s beautiful and pure love. They began to tempt the handsome Pizzomunno, trying to lure him away from his beloved Cristalda, but their efforts were in vain.
Determined to teach the couple a cruel lesson, one full moon night, while the lovers were on the shore of Vieste, the sirens kidnapped Cristalda and turned Pizzomunno into stone. Heartbroken, Cristalda cried for her lost love every day with such sorrow that Poseidon decided to grant them one night together every 100 years.
Today, the stone of Pizzomunno stands as a symbol of their tragic love, marking the iconic landscape of Vieste's beach.
The Gargara nymph of the Foresta Umbra
Considered the largest broadleaf forest in Italy, the Foresta Umbra is home to towering trees, such as maples and beeches, which have long inspired local folklore. According to legend, a faun, half man and half goat, lived in the forest and was deeply infatuated with the beautiful nymph Gargara.
His desire grew so strong that one night he tried to take her by force. Gargara cried out for help, and the animals of the forest, along with its inhabitants, rushed to her aid.
In desperation, the faun turned to Jupiter, telling him that the nymph had rejected him in favor of a human. He persuaded the god to aid in his cruel plan, and Jupiter transformed the nymph into a white maple tree. From that moment on, the faun remained forever by the tree’s side, guarding it against anyone who might seek to harm it.
Explore the Umbra Forest and discover all the experiences to live the territory
The legend of Uria, the vanished city
The Gargano region is also home to magical and mysterious places. One such legend tells that long ago, where Lake Varano now lies, there was once a city called "Uria." The king of this city was named Tauro, a wicked man who ruled over a sinful and corrupt people. According to the legend, God, angered by the sins and wickedness of Uria's inhabitants, decided to punish them with a devastating flood.
One night, after a grand celebration, a violent storm hit Uria, destroying everything and everyone. No one survived except for a young girl named Nunzia, who lived far from the city. She was a humble and devout woman. When the floodwaters reached her doorstep, she instinctively threw her spindle of weaving thread into the torrent and cried out, "My child, stop here!"
After that dreadful night, Uria had vanished, and in its place stood Lake Varano. Some fishermen claim that on full moon nights, they can still hear the sound of the bells from the lost city.
The legend of the Grotto of St Michael Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo:
One of the most famous legends of the Gargano, blending the sacred and the profane, is that of the cave of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo. Saint Michael is traditionally associated with the battle between light and darkness, the triumph of good over evil, and in this story, his appearances help save the community.
The sacred nature of the cave originates from the apparitions of Saint Michael, who, starting in 490 AD, appeared three times: first before a bewildered shepherd, then during the siege of Siponto, and finally in the presence of the local bishop. All these miraculous appearances took place within the cave, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of mystical beauty.
These are just a few of the many legends from Puglia that enliven stories told under starry skies and captivate the hearts of those who choose to visit the Gargano.
Come and discover this enchanting land and book your next holiday at the Valtur Baia del Gusmay Beach Resort