History
It was founded by the Cretans as a stopping place along the route to Rhodes, and the Rhodians took it over in the 8th century BC, giving the place their name. Under the Romans it was called Uria, then in the Middle Ages was surrounded by walls with towers, and was ruled by the De Riccardiis, Carafa, Caracciolo, Spinelli, Brancia and Sanfelice families. It was for centuries a busy trading port with Dalmatia, the Middle East and the other Mediterranean countries.
The historical center reveals the features of an ancient sea village; houses are built very closed to each other, almost overlapping, for defensive purposes. The center of the village also hosts four important mystical churches. The most popular is The Santuario Madonna della Libera.

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A Prayer to the Holy Mother
The Icon Maria SS della libera Rodi Garganico [ Fg ]	Salve, o Regina, Madre di misericordia; vita, dolcezza e speranza nostra, salve. A te ricorriamo, noi esuli figli d'Eva; a te sospiriamo gementi e piangenti in questa valle di lacrime. Orsù, dunque, Avvocata nostra, rivolgi a noi quegli occhi tuoi misericordiosi. E mostraci dopo questo esilio Gesù, il frutto benedetto del ventre tuo, o clemente, o pia, o dolce Vergine Maria.	The english Version Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen. ...here at left a pic of the church where the Icon is held and shown to the believers. The white town of Rodi Garganico is a famous bathing resort lying down from a hill to the blue see amid its sweet perfumed orange lemon plantations and secular olive-trees. home Back Top