Rodi Garganico is one of the small treasures of Puglia to be discovered. Site near Peschici, this village is known as "garden of the Gargano". The reason is quickly explained. Perched on a promontory overlooking the sea, this splendid center boasts numerous citrus groves, olive trees, pines, fig trees and more. A naturalistic landscape that is varied to say the least.
The history of Rodi Garganico
The historic center of the village is of medieval origin, as well as the walls that surround it. Characterized by numerous rather narrow alleys, which is quite common in Puglia, with a very complex route and, often, with steep slopes. A key architectural feature of the center concerns the architecture of the houses. These are made in such a way as to allow each one to see the sea.
There is no lack of evidence of human settlements in prehistoric times, even if the inhabited center, in its beginnings, is clearly later. In most cases, its construction tends to be traced back to around the eighth century BC, in correspondence with the expansion of Rhodes. The village was destroyed by the Goths after the fall of Rome, only to be rebuilt more than half a century later. Hundreds of years later it was attacked by the Saracens and occupied by the Aragonese.
Flying from century to century, in 1646 it had to deal with the disastrous Gargano earthquake. He gave asylum to Joachim Murat in 1815 during the second fall of Napoleon. During the Fascist period it flourished thanks to the railway, only to suffer the blow of the limited commercial flows after the Second World War.
The treasure of Rodi Garganico
Nature is the true heritage of this splendid village. The production of citrus fruits is what has made Rodi Garganico famous since the Middle Ages. Just think of the Feminello lemons, recognized IGP, or even to the oranges from the Gargano. Vegetation reigns supreme and plays its role also from the tourist point of view. In recent times, space has therefore been given to tourist-accommodation development. It is a particularly popular destination for travelers since the 60s and over time it has undergone major restoration processes. All in order to enhance the architectural heritage and redevelop urban planning.
Get inspired
One of the areas to discover, without a doubt, is the Vuccolo, or the ancient port area. A name that appears unusual to tourists and which derives from "vucculare", or shout. The origin is Lombard and refers to the custom of calling husbands intent on working the nets from the terraces.
Space in your travel itinerary also for the Chépe district abandons, that is, upside down. The alleys are particularly narrow in this area, characterized by steep stairways, dream terraces and hidden squares. The arrangement of the houses, as mentioned, allows a view of the sea and, at the same time, allows for an allotment from the cold winter winds. Moving along these streets you will be able to appreciate the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Libera, as well as the splendid one Citrus oasis. In the vicinity of the center there are the Church of Santa Maria Pura, the Mother Church of the Beata Vergine Assunta and the Castle of Peschici.
What to eat
There is certainly no shortage of typical dishes that you can taste during your stay. Generally it is about dishes based on fish or vegetables. You could start with a salad of raw anchovies with oil and lemon or, alternatively, a salad of oranges, mussels or razor clams. As a first course you can choose between thimbles with clams and sautéed, troccoli with stuffed cuttlefish and cheese or bucatini with mantis shrimp. How to miss fish main courses such as marinated whitebait and rhodian-style "mollicate" anchovies. For meat lovers, on the other hand, rhodian-style meat rolls or goulash of goat, potatoes and lampascioni.
