Manfredonia is one of the most populated cities, situated in a plain area, South of the Gargano promontory. The town's district extends over a large area, where there is a environment mixture of mountains and hills in the North part, including those in the Park of Gargano, and sandy beaches and a valley in the Southern part, known as the "agro sipontino", once upon a time marshland, but now arable farmland, except for a small portion, "Lago Salso" which has maintained its damp characteristics.
The documented history of Manfredonia begins in the Neolithic Ages. The southern plain of the actual city was the settlement site of a famous "Dauno" centre which offers important historical and archeological traces and exhibits such as the famous stones of Dauno. These are monumental engraved stones that where produced between the VII and VI century b.C.
Engraved in these stones there are scenes of daily life, hunting and more... and they are precious part of the history of these Italic populations. It is possible to visit these exhibits in the Archeological Museum in the Castle.
Sipontum was the antique name of the city and it was one of the most important Northern ports of the Ancient Greece and it kept its importance under the Sannitic and Roman dominions.
The name Manfredonia is in honour of Manfredi, son of Federico II of Svevia. After a hunting expedition King Federico II decided to built his government centre to rule the Reign on the ruins of Siponti.
Between the places of interest to remember the Castle, originally built by Manfredi but modified at a later stage by the Normans (Angioini) and the Spanish (Aragonesi), the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore of Siponto and the Cathedral.