Of the many types of churches that the Christian community has built over the course of the centuries
Often built by some of the earliest Christian communities
they reveal precious insights into how early believers would gather to worship and pray
Not too far from the shores of Lake Verano
lies one of the best preserved yet least known cave churches of Europe.
The tiny path that leads to the entrance to the cave hosts a towering statue of the saint
a reminder of the devotion of local believers
The cave is 170 feet long and 22 feet tall
Its walls are covered with the usual features of limestone caves
as well as signs of the cave’s centuries-old purpose: frescoes depicting religious images.
The best time of the year to visit this unusual church is probably May
Michael's appearance takes place in Cagnano Varano
locals walk from Cagnano Varano to the cave church in a ritual pilgrimage that has been going on for years.
Getting there: The cave is located along the coast of Lake Varano
a four minute drive from Cagnano Varano on the SS89 route
There is a small parking lot outside the church with a marked path that leads to the church entrance
Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 to 12 and from 3:30 to 6:30.
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Everything is ready for the awaited start of the World Masters Orienteering Championships (WMCO)
the over 35 orienteering World Championships presented this morning in the Sala Di Jeso of the Palazzo of the Presididenza of the Puglia Region in Bari
where from 8 to 16 July will compete in the evocative landscapes of the Gargano
organized by the International Orienteering Federation
FISO – Italian Federation of Sport Orientation and WMOC Organizing Committee in collaboration with Sport and Health
was able to count on a strong synergy at both national and territorial level thanks to the important patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and the Province of Foggia
as well as the teamwork of 14 Municipalities (Vieste
The WMOCs will involve over 3 thousand athletes from 40 countries with an expected daily presence in the Gargano of 5 thousand people
also considering their families and friends
this means a raw total of 50 thousand presences in the ten days of stay
Considering an average investment per person of 100 euros
the organizers expect a local induced activity of 5 million euros
in addition to the enormous value linked to the promotion of the territory to users in central and northern Europe
as 50% of the orienteers coming from the Scandinavian countries
“Puglia is a region that invests heavily in sport – said the president of the Puglia region
It is therefore with a particular emotion that we are about to welcome and host the World Masters Orienteering Championships 2022
will be the backdrop to the world competition that will involve over three thousand athletes from all over the world
We will continue to support and encourage these sporting events which represent an important opportunity to make the beauty of our territory known to a large public
I wish the sporting competitions maximum success and I send the warm greetings and welcome of the Apulian to all the participants “
It is a real honor to share my linguistic and intercultural abilities with my homeland
This event will finally highlight the richness of the Gargano area
WMOC will also be a boost for the local economy and tourism
Responsabile Relazioni Internazionali WMOC
biodiversity: orienteering is proposed as a sport discipline and practice fully within the ‘spirit of the time’ we are experiencing – commented the vice president of the Puglia Region and councilor for Sport per tutti
“The Puglia Region welcomes the WMOC 2022 – Gargano caravan
and their families will have the experience to be kept among the most cherished treasures
Finance and Control Section in Health and Sport
thinking of the great value of a sporting event that will live in one of the most evocative contexts on both naturalistic and cultural levels
and services so that the positivity we all need is unleashed
after two dark years and while in Europe the fear of war has even returned: with the participation of women and men from countries close to the conflict and where orienteering is very popular
we hope that a message for the peaceful and prosperous coexistence of all European peoples will spread from Puglia and the Gargano ”
“Puglia still protagonist with sporting events – underlined the Tourism Councilor of the Puglia Region
After the Italian road cycling championship
we are preparing to welcome a worldwide event in the wonderful locations and protected areas of the Gargano
Corsican Orienteering is often part of training practice in our schools and is an outdoor sport appreciated by all because it stimulates a spirit of adaptation and creativity
About 50 thousand presences are expected during the days of the competition with repercussions imported on the territories in economic terms
In the wake of an increasingly varied and sustainable tourist offer
this is an opportunity to give visibility to unique tourist destinations in our region such as the UNESCO heritage sites of Monte Sant’Angelo and the Umbra Forest and to the entire Gargano “
“When more than a year ago they came to talk to us about orienteering – said the regional manager of the Administration
Finance and Control Section in Health and Sport of the Puglia Region
Benedetto Giovanni Pacifico – none of us knew this discipline
in light of all the efforts made by the organizing committee
the WMOCs represent what we consider the true
We are happy to have contributed to its realization because these World Championships will have a great return on the territory ”
“Sports tourism is a vocation of Puglia on which we are working through events of international importance
The Orienteering World Championships on the Gargano for us – said the general manager of Pugliapromo
Luca Scandale – represents a further opportunity to make known the authentic wonder of 14 Municipalities of the Gargano which
will be involved in the path which will involve over 3000 athletes from 40 countries
athletes will experience a sporting emotion in the name of sustainability
and their stories they will become the new ‘ambassadors’ of Puglia “
“Our territory is proud to host the World Masters Orienteering Championship 2022 – stated the President of the Province of Foggia
this is an award that contributes to celebrating and honoring the environmental and landscape excellence of a province which
seems to be made especially for orienteering
we could only support with conviction a sporting initiative of extraordinary importance and prestigious international scope
An event that will allow us to enhance our immense wealth to an even greater extent
placing them in an extraordinary showcase “
“The choice to host the Orienteering World Championships – said the Mayor of Vieste
Giuseppe Nobiletti – has a strategic value in conveying the image of Vieste and its territory in the circuit of highly attractive landscape holiday resorts
Considering its sporting-environmental value
a great event such as WMOC 2022 represents the ideal event to relaunch and modernize our tourist offer on the basis of a landscape rich in natural attractions that can also be oriented towards other types of tourist flows
We also appreciate the support that the Puglia Region has ensured for the event
together with ours and that of the other Gargano municipalities
WMOC 2022 is an event that will also sound like a message of peace
and concord that starts from sport and spreads throughout society ”
THE STRONGEST ORIENTEERERS OVER 35 IN THE WORLD
and Switzerland are the nations with the highest number of holdings
The event will see the involvement in the role of tracker of the Finnish Janne Salmi
with a world gold in the relay and three world silver in the Palmares
a representation full of illustrious names from Switzerland
with his 8 career world golds accompanied by 11 silvers and 9 bronzes
under the ASCO Lugano but political in life
competing in the M60 category which boasts about 200 members
with an experience of 13 World Cups with the Swiss national team
She was first world champion and then European in the Sprint distance
winning another 2 gold medals in the relay at the World Championships
Sarah Rollins is also a favorite thanks to her 12 participations as a protagonist at the World Championships with the shirt of Great Britain
“FISO is pleased to see the WMOC 2022 assigned to Puglia – declared the president of the Italian Sports Orientation Federation
which has always been attentive to respect for the environment
will bring a peaceful invasion of competitors interested in the discovery of the territory and its excellences
I believe that the typical Apulian hospitality
and the wonderful locations will make the experience unforgettable
Swiss and also all the other nations present will know how to become ambassadors of your values in the world
I especially thank those who have lent themselves to the success of the event: institutions
“I want to underline – commented the president of the WMOC Committee
Michele Barbone – the goal achieved that we set ourselves
by identifying the Gargano and in particular the Umbra Forest as the seat of a FISO Federal Center for development and the promotion of the sport of orientation in the Center-South of Italy and in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Basin
the involvement of technicians and sports managers
as well as teachers and students of institutes and schools in the municipalities of the Gargano and the University of Motor Sciences of Foggia in special training courses was and will be even more important in the future “
“The participation of over 3 thousand athletes – added the general director of the WMOC Committee
Gabriele Viale – will result in the daily presence in the Gargano of 5 thousand people
equal to a total of 50 thousand in the ten days of average stay
If we consider an average investment per person of 100 euros
the local induced will be equal to 5 million euros
The WMOCs will be activators for the future of seasonally adjusted tourism because athletes will become ambassadors around the world
in addition to promoting the area to users in central and northern Europe
50% of orienteers coming from Scandinavian countries
there will also remain a mapping plant area for orienteering at an international level and with zero impact
full of gratitude to all the working group
who are organizing this World Cup and with whom we managed to make the Organizing Committee work in a network with all the institutions
2001 Foresta Umbra Training Credits PWT Italia – Bernt Bjornsgard
In 2001 the exploration of the woods of southern Italy
was carried out by Gabriele Viale together with the Scandinavian orienteers Jorgen Martensson and Bernt Bjonsgaard
brought to light one of the most technical undergrowth in the world for orienteering
Its development path from an oriental point of view at an international level started sixteen years ago with a series of events: the 2004 Italian Cup
and many other competitions in the historic centers of Vico del Gargano
the world candidacy project was launched with Gargano Park as a leader
repeated three times until the assignment in 2019
The highlight was the official handover of the flag of the International Orienteering Federation by the Hungarian authorities to the Italian Committee in August 2021 during the World Masters Championships in Csákvár in Hungary
including the pandemic and recent problems in Eastern Europe
The desire to show this landscape pearl of Italy that is the Gargano and the belief in offering an opportunity to young people have pushed the Committee to continue pushing the heart beyond all obstacles
Copyright © 2022 WMOC Italy – P .IVA 05158960285
WORLD MASTERS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS 8-16 LUGLIO
Map and compass to discover the Umbra Forest
for the Middle qualifications of the WMOC 2022
On Thursday 14th July the over 35 champions will be announced on an 8 km track
while on Saturday 16 July the grand finale of the event
On 7 July it celebrated the first 5 years of UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site and today the Umbra Forest hosted the international community of orienteers for the Middle qualifications of the World Masters Orienteering Championships
Now begins the second phase of the over 35 World competition
with athletes from all over the world committed to snatching a place for the final on Thursday on the 8 km track in Riserva Falascone and Laghetto d’Umbra
The green lung of the Gargano National Park
has a unique identity on a technical level given by the presence of beech trees on karst terrain with sinkholes and depressions
enclosing all the typical features sought by enthusiasts of the ‘sport of the woods’
in the logistical and organizational management of the event
the support of the Police Forces represented in Foresta Umbra by the Jacotenente Aeronautical Detachment
by the Carabinieri Biodiversity Department
the Regional Agency for Activities Irrigation and Forestry of the Puglia Region
“On the occasion of a Masters Championship in 2010 in Gargano – declared Lt
Commander of the Jacotenente Aeronautical Detachment – I decided to found an amateur sports association for orienteering
whose president is now the Marshal of the Air Force Nicolino Sciscio
From there in the province of Foggia various other associations have developed
Seeing a World Cup organized here fills us with pride
among the 10 UNESCO heritage forests in the world
which makes it usable 365 days a year also for practicing numerous sports
The most environmentalist sport I know “
Present for his first Masters World Championship from Switzerland Daniel Hubmann
the most medalist athlete in the discipline with his 8 career world gold medals accompanied by 11 silvers and 9 bronzes
“It was a technical and challenging race – declared Hubmann – It was demanding on the head and at the same time required a careful reading of the map
I liked it a lot especially for the rough terrain full of depressions
Now we are waiting for tomorrow’s finals
the Gargano is a beautiful place to train but at the same time relax and spend quality time after the competition
We needed it after last weekend’s qualifying match for the European Championships in Estonia in August”
The WMOC 2022 are organized by the International Orienteering Federation
the Italian Federation of Sport Orientation and the WMOC Committee in collaboration with Sport and Health
in addition to the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and the Province of Foggia and the synergy of 14 Municipalities (Vieste
The complete rankings of the Middle qualifications: https://bit.ly/3P3mZHD
The World Masters Orienteering Championships greet the Gargano
In the long distance in the Umbra Forest the redemption of the Swiss Hubmann
the Ukrainian Marchuk is the new M35 champion
The 39-year-old Swedish Lonnkvist queen of the woods
triple for the 95-year-old Finnish Nieminen
In Peschici the closing ceremony of the international orienteering event
which has brought 3,000 athletes from 35 to 95 years from 40 different countries to the spur of Italy
The association of orienteering with the Gargano area will continue with the birth of the FISO Federal Center
The strategic skills of a chess player combined with the athletic skills of a runner
These are the skills fielded by 3 thousand athletes
from 40 countries and more than half Scandinavian
protagonists of the World Masters Orienteering Championships
which end in Gargano with the assignment of over 35 Long distance titles
With the organization of the International Orienteering Federation
the Italian Federation of Sport Orientation and the WMOC Committee
the event was able to count on the collaboration of Sport e Salute
together with the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and the Province of Foggia and to the synergy of 14 municipalities (Vieste
in the presence of the Mayor Francesco Tavaglione
the Councilor for Sport Luca Esposito and Isabella Damiani from Vico del Gargano representing the Puglia Region
“After 14 years of waiting we managed to fulfill a dream
it was a great World Cup – declared Gabriele Viale
Director General of the WMOC 2022 Committee – We brought 3 thousand athletes from 40 countries to enjoy the technical features of the Apulian villages and the Umbra Forest
unique in the world from an oriental point of view
We have triggered an important path for the future of tourism deseasonalization as this discipline is practiced a lot in Scandinavian countries in spring and autumn
I have to thank all the staff and the organization
whose strength was based on the winning mix of technical resources
and young talent with their modern and technological language
We have made a system with FISO Puglia and the institutions
the Carabinieri Command and the Civil Protection of Vieste
the Biodiversity Department of Carabinieri
and the Municipal Police of the 14 Municipalities involved
We all have worked 110% to complete this project
but above all to promote the extraordinary identity of Puglia and the Gargano at an international level”
“A great participation for a World Championships – declared Sergio Anesi
President of the FISO Italian Federation of Sport Orientation – which Italy has been able to express in organizational terms
with the care shown in the realization of the various races
The prospect for Puglia is now really interesting with the arrival of new national and international competitions and the now forthcoming establishment of a FISO Federal Center
the second in Italy after the one on Alpe Cimbra which will be a reference for the center and south of the peninsula
The presence in the Gargano of people of all ages and entire families committed to practicing an outdoor discipline is the emblem of our sporting culture
which has an inherent social but also economic value due to the significant induced generated in the area”
LONG AND MIDDLE TITLES ASSIGNED IN THE UMBRA FOREST
At Riserva Falascone and Laghetto d’Umbra
the Long race (up to 10 km) on karst terrain
with sinkholes and depressions among the beech woods recognized 5 years ago as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
the most medalist in the discipline in activity
the very favorite Swiss had to give way to the Ukrainian Marchuk Oleksandr with the Swedish team OK Sodertorn
In W35 Sweden Sofia Lonnkvist won gold medals in both finals in the forest
with 13 World Championships in his Palmares with the Swiss National
But the absolute phenomenon is the 95-year-old Finnish Sole Nieminen
“It was a good race – commented Sofia Lonnkvist – harder in my opinion than the Middle
The end of the route was the most demanding part of all but I appreciated the woodland
I tried to familiarize myself with the continuous ups and downs of the terrain to be ready for the final
I will bring back home from Gargano beautiful memories of my first World Masters Championships
as well as my first experience in this green and luxuriant area of Italy
the coast with its wonderful beaches”
The complete rankings and the winners of the Long races: https://bit.ly/3zbnABF
M35 / W35 – Daniel Hubmann (Switzerland) – Sofia Lonnkvist (Tullinge SK)
M40 / W40 – Oystein Kvaal Osterbo (Baekkelagets SK) – Celine Dodin (ACA Aix-en-Provence)
M45 / W45 – Petteri Muukkonen (OK Trian) – Yvonne Gunell (Pargas IF)
M50 / W50 – Fabrice Vannier (Balise77) – Vroni Koenig Salmi (Finland)
M55 / W55 – Svajunas Ambrazas (S Sportas) – Annika Viilo (Tampereen Pyrinto)
M60 / W60 – Jozef Pollak (Klub OB ATU Kosice) – Laila Hoglund (FK Herkules)
M65 / W65 – Jorma Nissila (Kokkolan Suunnistajat) – Kjellrun Sporild (Malvik il)
M70 / W70 – Tom Arild Karlsen (Fredrikstad Skiklubb) – Maria Nordwall (OK Kolmarden)
M75 / W75 – Veikko Loukonen (Piikkion Kehitys) – Kari Timenes Laugen (Imaas il)
M80 / W80 – Stig Israelsson (OK Tyloskog) – Torid Kvaal (Freidig)
M85 / W85 – Sivert Axelsson (Kalmar OK) – Eivor Steen Olsson (Kungalvs OK)
M90 – Kjell Arne Pettersson (Harlovs IF)
W95 – Sole Nieminen (Jamsan Retki Veikot)
The complete rankings and the winners of the Middle distance: https://bit.ly/3o32vmx
M35 – W35 – Oleksandr Marchuk (OK Sodertorn) – Sofia Lonnkvist (Tullinge SK)
M40 – W40 – Roman Ryapolov (IFK Mora OK) – Katri Lindeqvist (Paimion Rasti)
M45 – W45 – Marek Prasil (OK Jihlava) – Yvonne Gunell (Pargas IF)
M50 – W50 – Janne Salmi (Turun Suunnistajat) – Anna Gornicka Antonowicz (Stowarzyszenie Team 360 stopni)
M55 – W55 – Matti Yliluikki (Suomusjarven Sisu) – Annika Viilo (Tampereen Pyrinto)
M60 – W60 – Michael Wehlin (Skogspojkarnas OK) – Laila Hoglund (FK Herkules)
M65 – W65 – Antanas Pauzas (OK Dainava) – Lotta Linsefors (Lunds OK)
M70 – W70 – Bjorn Grinde (Oslostudentenes IK) – Britt Eriksson (Sala OK)
M75 – W75 – Timo Peltola (MS Parma) – Bjoerg Lohne Kocbach (Bergens TF)
M80 – W80 – Roland Karlsson (Ronneby OK) – Torid Kvaal (Freidig)
M85 – W85 – Jaroslav Havlik (Sportcentrum Jicin) – Eivor Steen Olsson (Kungalvs OK)
M90 – Martin Hutzli (Ulus Reisewelt)
SPRINT TITLES ASSIGNED BETWEEN PESCHICI AND VIESTE
After the qualifying session in the suggestive historic center of Peschici
Vieste definitely put the athletes to the test
The 3km route proved to be technically challenging both from a physical point of view
in light of the continuous and steep ups and downs between the streets of the town
forcing a careful reading of the map during the constant changes in direction
The arrival on the seafront of the Marina Piccola is not to be missed
including that of the favorite Sarah Rollins
with her 12 World Championships appearances with the Great Britain jersey and now W45 champion
The complete rankings and the winners of the Sprint races: https://bit.ly/3RpF1Wf
M35 – W35 – Francois Van der Ouderaa (Belgium) – Tatsiana Voveriene (Devyni OSK)
M40 – W40 – Alessio Tenani (Polisportiva G
Masi) – Katri Lindeqvist (Paimion Rasti)
M45 – W45 – Nick Barrable (South Yorkshire Orienteers) – Sarah Rollins (Southern Navigators Orienteering)
M50 – W50 – Fabrice Vannier (Balise77) – Anna Envall (IK Hakarpspojkarna)
M55 – W55 – Svajunas Ambrazas (S Sportas) – Annika Viilo (Tampereen Pyrinto)
M60 – W60 – Graham Patten (WARROC) – Laila Hoglund (FK Herkules)
M65 – W65 – Mario Ammann (OLG St
Gallen/Appenzell) – Unni Strand Karlsen (Fredrikstad Skiklubb)
M70 – W70 – Mikko Sani (Hollolan Urheilijat 46) – Maria Nordwall (OK Kolmarden)
M75 – W75 – Peter Gorvett (CADOC) – Bjoerg Lohne Kocbach (Bergens TF)
M80 – W80 – Otto Venhauer (OLCU Viktring) – Ulla Lindhe (IK Stern)
M85 – W85 – Rune Carlsson (Sundbybergs IK) – Inger E Vamnes (Hamar OK)
M90 – W90 – Martin Hutzli (Ulus Reisewelt) – Eileen Bedwell (Sugar Loaf OK)