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The Rodi Garganico Citrus Oasis is a natural area in the northern part of Gargano, in the Province of Foggia. It is known for the centuries-old production of citrus fruits, such as “Duretta del Gargano” and “Bionda del Gargano” oranges, as well as “Femminello” lemon (Slow Food Presidiums which have now obtained the IGP acknowledgement); in this part of Puglia, citrus fruits have been cultivated since the XI century.

The oasis is full of citrus and olive groves, with centuries-old plants; the abovementioned “Duretta del Gargano”, for instance, risked extinction in the past but was saved thanks to a special conservation project.

Being the only citrus grove in the entire Adriatic Sea belt, this Citrus Oasis was created on some 2.471 acres in the territories of Vico del Gargano, Rodi Garganico, and Ischitella.

Over the centuries, the citrus groves of Rodi Garganico (whose city coat of arms bears an orange tree and a sailing boat) have inspired poets, travellers and scholars; especially in the mid-XIX century, they were famous for a copious production which would often reach 150.000 quintals of citrus fruits. Most of those delicious products would then be exported to Venice, Dalmatia, Trieste, and even to the United States.

Following the two world wars, the closure of the Balkan markets and cheaper competing varieties, the local citrus fruit economy suffered a major blow; luckily, “Duretta” and “Bionda del Gargano” oranges, along with “Femminello” lemons, are today once again available on the market as products of true excellence.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)