San Menaio
| San Menaio | |
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| Frazione | |
Aerial view of San Menaio
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 Map of San Menaio |
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 San Menaio
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| Coordinates: 41°56′N 15°57′E / 41.933°N 15.950°ECoordinates: 41°56′N 15°57′E / 41.933°N 15.950°E | |
| Country |
 Italy
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| Region |
 Apulia
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| Province | Foggia (FG) |
| Comune | Vico del Gargano |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.12 km2 (1.98 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Population (1 December 2008) | |
| • Total | 211 |
| • Density | 41/km2 (110/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Sanmenaiesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 71018 |
| Dialing code | (+38) 0884 |
| Patron saint | Saint Anthony of Padua |
| Saint day | 13 June |
| Website | Official website |
San Menaio (Italian pronunciation: [sam meˈnaːjo]; in Garganic dialect Saint'Mnà [sæɨnt mˈnaː]), also San Menaio Garganico, is a small village and seaside resort, a frazione of the comune of Vico del Gargano in the province of Foggia and the Apulia region of south-east Italy. The 2001 census counted a resident population of 193 (93 males, 100 females) living in 97 family units.
It is a seaside village of rare beauty that unfolds between Rodi Garganico and Peschici, 6 km north of Vico del Gargano along the coastal route of SS89 freeway.
Known for its long sandy beach and for the forests of Aleppo Pines—among the oldest and largest in Italy—which cover the territory and penetrate the village up to the fringes of the beach, it owes its fame in great measure to the early 20th-century writings of Nicola Serena di Lapigio.
The history of San Menaio is mixed with the mythology that characterizes the folk tradition for centuries in the Gargano area. In ancient age here had spread the cult of Cassandra and of the goddess Mena (from which San Menaio). Tradition tells that it took so much effort by Benedictines first settlements in the area of San Menaio to wipe out idolatry and to change old temples in churches, enlivened with the names of saints and Christian martyrs.
The name of the place is, according to another historical tradition, more widespread and remembered by Giuseppe D'Addetta, to be traced back to the story about the apparition of Saint Menas, Arab holy warrior, who saved the inhabitants from Saracens attacks.
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Wikipedia