Sanctuary Complex of San Michele Arcangelo

In 560 the Duchy of Benevento incorporated the Gargano and thus also Monte Sant’Angelo. Since the 5^th century it had been dedicated to the cult of the Archangel Michael, who was popular with the Lombards because they saw in him the characteristics of the pagan god of war Wodan, protector of heroes and warriors. From the 7^th century the place became the Lombards’ national sanctuary. Devotion to Saint Michael spread throughout the West and Monte Sant’Angelo became the model for all the sanctuaries built in Europe, including the Norman one at Mont-Saint-Michel. The principal Lombard dynasties conducted renovation work to facilitate access to the primitive cave and provide shelter for pilgrims, as recorded by inscriptions found on the site.

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo is one of the few Early Medieval holy places that has retained its character, with historical continuity and intense visitation by pilgrims up to the present day. In 650, after defeating the Byzantines, the Lombards of the Duchy of Benevento took over the Gargano, where they established the cult of the Archangel Michael.

Inside the sanctuary, the TECUM Museums (TEsori del CUlto Micaelico) include the Lombard Gallery that houses the worked stone museum, with over 200 sculptural artefacts dating from the 4^th to the 15^th – 16^th century. This abundant collection allows visitors to connect together the oldest places of worship in the area (from both topographical and artistic perspectives) and to follow the evolution of sculptural art in the Gargano area. Inside the worked-stone museum there are nine rooms with barrel vaults made from local stone which lead towards the heart of the mountain. The museum also comprises Crypts B and C, located at the end of the pathway: in this section of the museum the remains of the imposing monumental work conducted in the Gargano sanctuary by the Lombards of Benevento may be seen.

The crypts are about 60 metres long and lie beneath the cave floor and the entrance corridor. The first one is about 45 m long, reaching the mighty support wall on which a bronze door is placed on the upper level. It looks like a gallery with a barrel vault, divided into eight rectangular portions connected together by means of transverse arches that stand on large pillars protruding from the side walls. As was the practice in places of worship, there are clearly recognizable mortuary chambers. In this regard, it is worth mentioning a tradition of ancient origin: in the purely spiritual sanctuary of the Archangel, the presence of corpses was not allowed. However, the most important and wealthy personages did not renounce burial at least near the sanctuary of St Michael, who is identified in the Bible as the one who carries the souls of the deceased to be judged by the Lord.