Monte Sant'Angelo as a town appeared only in the 11th century. Between 1081 and 1103, Monte Sant'Angelo was the capital of a large Norman dominion under the control of Count Henry, who was a vassal of the Byzantine Empire. The grotto which houses the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel where according to legend, St. Michael appeared in 490, 492 and 493, has been the site of many famous pilgrimages, which started from Mont Saint-Michel. Pope John Paul II visited the sanctuary in 1987. In the 17th century the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples, to which it belonged until the unification of Italy in 1861.
The Castle, with bastions of different ages. The most ancient part, called Torre dei Giganti is a pentagonal tower high, with walls thick. The first news on its history dates back to 979; later, it was the residence of Rainulf I of Aversa and the Robert Guiscard, who built the Norman Tower and the Treasure Hall. Emperor Frederick II restored the construction to use it as residence for his mistress Bianca Lancia, while under the Angevins it was used mainly as prison. Later, from 1464 to 1485, the fortress was the residence of the exiled Albanian condottiero Skanderbeg. The castle was largely rebuilt in the late 15th century by Ferdinand I. According to a legend, the castle is currently home to the ghost of Bianca Lancia, whose sighs can be heard especially in winter time.
The Tomb of Rothari, a baptistery dating back from the 12th century accessible from the 18th century of St. Peter. The portal has notable reliefs with Biblical stories. The name of "Tomb" is a misspelling of the Latin term Tumba, meaning "dome".
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The façade has blind arcades and a baldachin portal with sculpted frames. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by columns with sculpted capitals. The walls have Byzantine-style frescoes.
Pulsano Abbey, at from the city. It was built in 591 over a Pagan temple and was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1646.
Economy
Monte Sant'Angelo's economy is still largely based on agriculture and breeding. A certain tourist importance is related to the presence of the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel.
Employment
The majority of the working population own farmland, raise cattle, run bakeries, restaurants, or stores. Often stores and businesses are family owned. The population of Monte Sant'Angelo remains relatively small due to lack of employment in town. Often, young men leave to find work elsewhere. Due to this the majority of the population is retired and elderly.
Transportation
Monte Sant'Angelo can be reached by road through the Foggia-Monte Sant'Angelo SP.55 provincial road. The SP.89 provincial road passes through the frazione of Macchia.
