President
Naturalist guide
December 4th is Santa Barbara, a celebration felt by the miners of San Giovanni Rotondo, with procession and gifts from the Montecatini Society. The local mining industry was important since the 30s, especially due to the economic autarky of the fascist regime. In 1936, following autarchic policies, the regime favored the production of Italian aluminium, but uneconomic choices and the lower quality of the mineral limited success.
Montecatini, supported by the regime, invested in Gargano bauxite even though the quality was not exceptional. The mine became the largest workers' center in the province, but accidents and poor working conditions generated controversy. During the war, the mine suffered damage from bombings, but was saved from destruction. After the war, production resumed, but the lower quality of the ore and the abolition of customs duties led to fewer jobs. Attempts to revive it through the on-site transformation of the mineral were unsuccessful, and Montecatini preferred to import bauxite from abroad. The following years saw a period of layoffs and union strife. Despite attempts at revival, the San Giovanni Rotondo mine failed to maintain its economic relevance. It closed permanently in 1973.