The Diarygame || Travel Diary: Peschici || Tuesday, August 6th

Dear Traveling Steemit friends,

Yesterday, I told you about the wonderful bay of Peschici; today, we'll explore the historic center together.

The charming village, nestled on the Gargano promontory, immediately conveys the magic of the place. My journey through the narrow streets of Peschici started early, to move before the arrival of the numerous tourists and to be able to take some photos without too much disturbance.

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Each step revealed fragments of history and culture, almost whispered by the ancient stones of the city. My first stop was the small Castle of Peschici. Admiring it, I couldn't help but think of the princes and soldiers who once lived there, protecting the coasts from enemy invasions. During the Middle Ages, the rivalry between feudal powers and city-states like Genoa and Venice often translated into sieges and battles, especially by Venice, which, in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, represented a maritime power intent on controlling the trade routes of the Mediterranean and often in conflict with the coastal cities of Gargano.

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The beauty of the Gargano has led several artists to move to these areas to find the right tranquility and their own artistic expression. One of these is Romano Conversano, an artist who captured the nuances of the sea in his works.

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Continuing the exploration, I came across anecdotes and stories that have retained their charm and are still disclosed to visitors today.

For example, Romano Conversano, an Apulian artist, in 1957 purchased and restored the small castle perched by the sea. He loved painting Peschici and listening to the sound of the sea; so much so that one day he invented a strange instrument to capture the sound of the wind, similar to an Aeolian harp. A long wooden pole leaned against the castle window, with many intestines hanging, which, when the wind blew, played a splendid melody, that sound in popular tradition is called "A mamm' u vent'" (the mother of the wind).

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Another funny story concerns the belvedere on the cliff. Many years ago, there was no bathroom in the house, and a chamber pot was used for personal needs, only it had to be emptied. A lady went right here on the cliff to empty her chamber pot and, leaning over, slipped from the rocks. But the wide beautiful dress she was wearing suddenly inflated with the wind, becoming a parachute and gently landing the woman on the water!

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Getting lost among the peaks and steps, I arrived at "Piazza del Popolo." Curious, I asked a local lady why this little square was named so. She, who does not let herself be photographed, began to recount: "Because here a few decades ago, all the inhabitants of the historic center met in the few shops the town had, and many characters could be met! See that balcony? There lived 'The Professor,' who observed the square and wrote amusing stories about the inhabitants of Peschici. Once he told me about a man who had long mustaches and was a heavy smoker. The doctor told him to stay away from smoke, and he, in response, built a very long pipe, to the great amusement of those who met him!" (Tribute to Professor Giannini)

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Continuing my journey on Via Roma, passing an ancient door, I read a plaque: "Here lived Commander Giuseppe Libetta." I wondered, "Who was he?" He was a great commander, think that he was the first to cross the Mediterranean on a steamship! "Cool!" I thought.

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A few steps away is the church of Sant’Elia, Protector of Peschici. Entering while taking pictures of the saint's statue, an old man asked me, "So!? How do you see him: sad or happy?" A bit perplexed, I replied, "Happy!" - "Good," the old man said, "then your article will turn out well." Indeed, legend has it that Sant’Elia, protector of Peschici, freed the population from an invasion of locusts and since then watches over the Peschicians every year, changing the expression on his face depending on the behavior of his proteges.

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Well friends, now I'm enjoying a good iced coffee and resting a bit, I must admit that my calves are hurting, sedentary life is killing me, meanwhile, I enjoy the panorama over the bay.

Stay tuned, friends, because there are still many stories to tell and discover in this enchanting corner of Italy. See you soon for new adventures in Peschici!

Thanks for reading, @ibesso