Lesina, Apulia


Lesina is a town and comune, former bishopric and Latin Catholic titular see on the northern side of Monte Gargano in the province of Foggia, in the Apulia region of southeast Italy.

Description

Lesina lies on the northern side of Gargano and on the shores of the lake with the same name. It is a maritime village known for the production of eels. The site, populated since the Neolithic era, is a narrow strip of land covered with sandy dunes and little woods, separating the lake from the sea, which creeps into its waters through two canals.
Devio hill, only high, divides the two lakes, Lesina and Varano, and some findings of the Neolithic era have been found there. Lesina, built after the immigration of Dalmatian fishers, and known to Romans as Alexina, was often afflicted by earthquakes and sea flooding, and its population decimated by malaria.
The hot waters of Caldoli stream, not very far and near San Nazario Sanctuary, testify its volcanic activities. The first patron saint of the town is San Primiano Martire, celebrated on 15 May.

Main sights