St. Michael's Cave

Information found online: The San Michele cave is located 1 km from the southern shore of Lake Varano and about 3 km northwest of Cagnano Varano. It, consisting of a single large karst cave that opens into the Pozzone hill, is approximately 50 meters long, 6 to 15.60 meters wide and 3 to 7.20 meters high. The cave shows traces of uninterrupted use starting from the Paleolithic up to the contemporary era and has undergone, over the centuries, various alterations, which in some cases have altered its appearance (among the resulting material, stone fragments have been recovered, ceramic, vitreous and osteological from various periods). Some materials from the San Michele Cave date back to the Middle Paleolithic (Musterian), in a deposit in front of the entrance and along the slope below. Inside the cave, some residual strips of a deposit containing Upper Paleolithic tools and traces of a species of wild equus which later became extinct were also found. Fragments of impressed ceramics dating back to the ancient Neolithic also come from the area. In the Middle Ages the cave was transformed into a church: its appearance and the presence of dripping water that collects in a pool, which recall the sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, favored the cult of Saint Michael. The entrance consists of an artificial plastered partition; the portal is surmounted by a niche which housed a statue of Saint Michael, dated 1631, stolen in recent years and replaced by a copy of the famous sculpture by Ferrucci present in the Michaelian basilica of Monte Sant'Angelo. The interior has three altars of modern and contemporary times: the main one dedicated to the Archangel Michael, the lateral ones to the Virgin Annunziata and the Archangel Raphael. The floor is made up of limestone paving stones and features numerous graffiti (footprints, handprints and names), the work of pilgrims in various eras. The walls show traces, very deteriorated, of a fresco decoration: some figures are difficult to interpret, but traces of a medieval Crucifixion can be recognised. A fourteenth-century triptych appears better preserved, the transposition of a painting on a panel with a carved frame, with Saints Thomas, Bartolomeo and Antonio Abate, recognizable both for their attributes and for some letters of their names which are still legible (S. ...OMA; S. BA[R]TO...; ANT...N). A fresco of the Madonna and Child dates back to the sixteenth century. Among the limestone concretions that embellish the interior of the cave, devotees recognize traces of the presence of Saint Michael (imprints of a wing and the hoof of his horse).

It is the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, a pilgrimage destination for over fifteen centuries and still today a place of worship and prayer. «I will be the watchful guardian of this cave, in it the sins of men will be forgiven», the message of the archangel Michael who appeared three times to the then bishop of Siponto, Saint Lawrence of Constantinople, committed to eradicating the pagan cult and thus open the doors to Christians. There is a particular and exciting atmosphere in this spectacular and intense place. Just like the pilgrims of 1656, today too we crossed the iron gate, crossed the stone courtyard, and descended the 86 steps, sought in the heart of the Sacred Mountain.

A couple of kilometers from the center of Cagnano Varano, following the numerous tourist signs, you arrive at the Grotta di San Michele, one of the most important places of worship in the area. Here, according to tradition, the Archangel appeared to the local farmers even before the apparitions that occurred at Monte Sant'Angelo. The cave is a very suggestive place. In the center, a marble aedicule houses the statue of San Michele, a faithful reproduction of the one present in Monte Sant'Angelo. Behind the altar there is a small pool, called Pila di Santa Lucia, which collects the water dripping from the walls of the cave considered miraculous for the sight.

You are breathless admiring this sacred place located inside a natural cavity. Not very easy to find: even following the navigator faithfully, you still need to pay attention to the local signs. Wonderful place, surrounded by nature and silence. Outside the cave, there is also a lovely garden. Final note for the caretaker, a sweet and helpful person, who also makes available some objects for sale relating to the location.

It is the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, a pilgrimage destination for over fifteen centuries and still today a place of worship and prayer. «I will be the watchful guardian of this cave, in it the sins of men will be forgiven», the message of the archangel Michael who appeared three times to the then bishop of Siponto, Saint Lawrence of Constantinople, committed to eradicating the pagan cult and thus open the doors to Christians. There is a particular and exciting atmosphere in this spectacular and intense place. Just like the pilgrims of 1656, today too we crossed the iron gate, crossed the stone courtyard, and descended the 86 steps, sought in the heart of the Sacred Mountain.