Manfredonia is located on the edge of the Tavoliere, on the largest gulf of the central-southern Adriatic. It is the port and maritime city par excellence of the province of Foggia. The name of the city derives from Manfredi, king of Sicily, natural son of Federico II, who founded it in the mid-13th century to transfer the inhabitants of the nearby Sipontum, destroyed by Saracen incursions and an earthquake. Manfredi built the castle in 1256 which was restored in the sixteenth century. In its present form, it houses the National Museum of the Gargano.
When we talk about Manfredonia we cannot help remembering its gulf and its port, which is becoming more and more popular from a tourist point of view, and vital element of the local economy. In a succession of free beaches and modern facilities, the stretch of sea, that lies south of Manfredonia for over 20 kilometers, offers several alternatives with tourist villages and camping sites. The city preserves intact the charm that King Manfredi gave in ancient times. In recent years the Manfredonia Carnival has also become very attractive, animated by allegorical floats, parades of characters linked to the Italian and local carnival tradition, with the inevitable participation of the siponto mask "Ze 'Peppe". In the streets, in the white alleys of the historic center, there is a typically genuine Apulian ambience
The Swabian CastleThe castle of Manfredonia is the result of transformations, expansions and reconstructions that took place in different periods. Originally the whole structure consisted of a quadrilateral space enclosed by a wall surrounded by five square-shaped towers. It houses the National Archaeological Museum which contains numerous "Stele Daune" from the 6th and 7th centuries.
The CathedralThe Cathedral of Manfredonia is dedicated to God under the invocation of San Lorenzo Maiorano, bishop of Siponto; designed by a French architect, it is of Gothic style. The dome of the Cathedral is high from the floor of the presbytery 17,60 meters, the circumference is 30 meters.
Basilica of S. LeonardoLocated 10 km from Manfredonia on the S.S. 89 for Foggia, the church was an integral part of a famous abbey of the Teutonic Knights, built between the end of the century. XI and the beginning of the XII century. The temple has three naves with three semicircular apses.
Church of S. DomenicoLocated in Piazza del Popolo, the church of San Domenico with the adjacent convent was built by Charles II of Anjou between 1294 and 1299 and inhabited by the Dominican Fathers until the invasion of the Turks (1620).
Basilica of S. Maria MaggioreThe Basilica is located 3 km from Manfredonia on the S.S. 89 for Foggia. At the beginning this church was an ancient temple of Diana. The church of San Giovanni was built on the temple and the current church in 1098.
National MuseumThe Museum was established in 1968. It houses the entire archaeological collection of the area and tells, through its findings, the rich history of the ancient Siponto lagoon. Of particular interest is the collection of the Daunian stelae, a schematic representation of the human figure, coming largely from the lagoon area.
