Devozioni, spazi sacri e paesaggio tra continuità e trasformazione. Casi di studio in

This contribution examines the processes of construction, transformation, and continuity of sacred spaces in Apulia, with particular focus on the Gargano area, using the concepts of place, space, sanctuary, and pilgrimage as key interpretative tools. Through an interdisciplinary historical-religious approach, the sacred landscape is investigated as a dynamic palimpsest shaped by the interaction of devotional practices, mobility, hagiographic narratives, and socio-economic contexts. The case studies of the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel at Monte Sant’Angelo and the Sanctuary of Saint Matthew at San Marco in Lamis demonstrate how cults, relics, pilgrimage routes, and pastoral traditions contributed to the production of sacred space and the construction of local identities. The analysis highlights the agency of individuals, texts, material objects, and natural aspects in shaping the religious landscape of Gargano, emphasizing the enduring relationship between devotion, territory, and cultural heritage, which remains evident today in pilgrimage routes, walking trails, and contemporary community practices.