Peschici
Peschici is a comune (municipality) in the province of Foggia in Puglia, 83 metres above sea level, on the Gargano coast. Peschici was founded in the year 970 by Sueripolo, a Slavic commander who was sent there by order of the Abbey of the Tremiti islands which ruled over the whole territory. Perched atop a promontory, with low oriental-looking domed houses, Peschici is surrounded by medieval walls and dominated by a solemn castle. The town’s interesting architecture makes the most of the natural environment with defence towers, grottos and beaches. There are also ruins of primitive prehistoric settlements with grottos for funeral rites. The lithic (stone) material has disappeared but some ceramics dating back to a period between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age have been found. When in Peschici, visit the small 9th century church of Maria di Calena and its Romanesque wooden Madonna. Peschici is a charming town located on the Gargano highest promontory that falls dramatically to the sea (90 m). Its coast are teeming with caves and grottos that open on the wide beaches offering a most varied scenery to be discovered during guided tours. Although Peschici is inhabited by fishermen, in summer it gets crowded with tourists who are warmly welcomed in the different hotels and traditional restaurants where they can taste fresh fish dishes.