Ischitella

Perched between Lake Varano and the Adriatic Sea, Ischitella lies in the heart of the Gargano. Its historic center—hosting Palazzo Ventrella, the Mother Church, Sant’Eustachio, and the Convent of San Francesco—tells centuries of history. A powerful symbol of local identity is the Tree of San Francesco, an ancient cypress associated with the tradition of the Saint’s passage: uprooted by a storm yet still alive, it stands as a sign of faith and resilience. Even today, though dried out, it remains a guardian of memory and popular tales, deeply rooted in the local identity. The patronal festivals of Sant’Eustachio and of the Madonna Assunta with San Rocco mark the year with rituals, music, and conviviality. A land of olive trees and citrus groves, the town maintains a deep connection with the Gargano landscape.