There has been an abbey at this location on the Gargano promontory since the 6th century, but the original was destroyed by Islamic invaders and the 12th-century rebuild – which had grown to become one of the most powerful monasteries in Italy – was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1646. The complex was finally restored in the 1990s and visitors today can enjoy not only the abbey itself but also the splendid views the site affords of the surrounding Parco Nazionale del Gargano and, most notably, the Golfo di Manfredonia below.