IX-X century

The cult of San Michele spreads in the West due to the influence of Byzantine culture. In the fifth century it was born in Puglia, in Monte Sant’Angelo, the holiest place dedicated to the Archangel. When the Longobards of Benevento defeated the Byzantines on the Gargano on 8 May 674, the region passed under their jurisdiction and with it the sanctuary. The victory is seen as a field crossing by the Archangel, who becomes the protector of the Lombard people.

Starting from this date, numerous dedications to the Archangel followed one another throughout the territory subjected to Lombard jurisdiction. The original nucleus of the Mother Church, dedicated to the patron saint of Padula, the Archangel Michael, was probably founded in the 9th century, at the same time as the birth of the village. The cult of Michael in Padula appears to be older, probably dating back to the Constantinian age.

The internal space, divided into three naves, has a late Baroque look, the result of a series of restorations that have taken place over the centuries. In 1954 the artist Rocco Pennino created a cycle of frescoes which also included the decoration of the dome. Of great value are the decorations in Padula stone and the wooden statues of San Francesco di Paola and the Archangel Raphael created by the Padulese artist Andrea Cariello at the beginning of the 19th century. Of great value is the diptych by Stefano Sparano, kept in the sacristy, which depicts Saints John the Evangelist and Augustine, dating back to 1509.

The church has an important documentary and archival fund, with numerous parchments.