Happy Birthday UNESCO Beech Forests

A celebration for the oldest forest in the Gargano

"Happy Birthday UNESCO Beech Forests" is the festival through which the Municipality of Monte Sant'Angelo, in the province of Foggia, celebrates the anniversary of the inclusion of the ancient beech forests of the Foresta Umbra in the UNESCO World Heritage List every year. This recognition was granted on July 7, 2017, when these centuries-old woods became part of the transnational property "Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe," which brings together the most precious beech forests across eighteen European countries.

The Foresta Umbra, the green heart of the Gargano

Located within the Gargano National Park, the Foresta Umbra spans the territories of Monte Sant'Angelo, Vieste, Vico del Gargano, Carpino, and Peschici. Composed of approximately 84% beech trees, it hosts specimens that can exceed 40 meters in height and live up to 350 years—rare characteristics at these latitudes and at an altitude of about 800 meters. It is a treasure chest of biodiversity where deer, wild boars, foxes, hedgehogs, and numerous species of nocturnal birds of prey coexist.

The festival program

For a few days in July, the Foresta Umbra becomes a natural open-air theater. The calendar alternates between activities for all ages and fitness levels:

• Trekking and guided excursions along the trails of the ancient beech forests;
• Spiritual walks along the "Path of the Two UNESCO Sites," which connects the forest to the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo;
• Presentations, meetings, and educational moments regarding nature and the value of the UNESCO recognition;
• E-bike experiences and slow-tourism activities to discover the area.

"A Night in the Forest," the most anticipated event

The highlight of the festival is "A Night in the Forest," an immersive nocturnal walk that allows visitors to experience the woods after dark. The route, accessible to everyone and only a few kilometers long, includes stops for listening and observation to catch the calls of owls and tawny owls, the rustling of wildlife, and potential deer sightings near the Lago d'Umbra. It is an experience that stimulates hearing, touch, and smell, restoring a deep sense of a unique natural heritage.

A heritage to be experienced

With this festival, Monte Sant'Angelo—already famous throughout Puglia for its Sanctuary, also a UNESCO site—invites residents and visitors to rediscover the naturalistic dimension of the Gargano. It is a celebration that combines environmental protection, sustainable tourism, and local identity, reminding us how precious the bond between the Gargano community and its ancient forests truly is.