Vieste

Vieste
Comune
Comune di Vieste

Coat of arms
Vieste
Location of Vieste in Italy
Coordinates: 41°53′N 16°10′E / 41.883°N 16.167°E / 41.883; 16.167
Country Italy
Region Apulia
Province Foggia (FG)
Frazioni Pugnochiuso, Baia di Campi
Government
 • Mayor Giuseppe Nobiletti
Area
 • Total 167.52 km2 (64.68 sq mi)
Elevation 43 m (141 ft)
Population (28 February 2017)[1]
 • Total 13,931
 • Density 83/km2 (220/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Viestani
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 71019
Dialing code 0884
Patron saint Santa Maria di Merino, Saint George
Saint day 9 May and 23 April
Website Official website

Vieste[2] (Viestano: Vìst) is a town, comune and former Catholic bishopric in the province of Foggia, in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. A marine resort in Gargano, Vieste has received Blue Flags for the purity of its waters from the Foundation for Environmental Education. The area covered by the comune is included in the Gargano National Park.

History

View from the port

In mediaeval times, the port was frequently attacked by pirates, Saracens and other enemies of the Kingdom of Naples.

In 1554 around 7,000 inhabitants were enslaved by the Turks, with those being deemed too elderly or infirm to merit transportation into slavery executed.[2] This event is commemorated annually in a ceremony.

Geography

An example of erosion on the coast
Vieste as seen from the coast

The town is bordered by Mattinata, Monte Sant'Angelo, Peschici and Vico del Gargano. The coast is interesting from a geological point of view. Next to the town there are two large, straight beaches. The rest of the coast is made up of gulfs and small, hidden sandy beaches. Erosion by water and wind has shaped the calcareous rock into grottoes and arches. Since the coast is steep, some of the finest sights can be reached only by sea.

Economy

Until a few decades ago, its main resources were fishing and agriculture. Now tourism, with hotels, resorts and camping facilities, has transformed the town's appearance, economy and lifestyle.

Main sights

Vieste's most known sight is Pizzomunno, a vertical rocky monolith standing at 25 m (82 ft) near the Spiaggia del Castello ("Castle Beach"). Other sights include:

  • a castle, with a triangular shape and bastions at its vertexes.
  • the Co-cathedral in Apulian Romanesque style. It has a basilica plan with a nave and two aisles. Its bell tower was rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th century after the previous one collapsed.
  • Vieste Lighthouse, built in 1867

See also

References

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
  2. 1 2 Syed, Muzaffar Husain; Akhtar, Syed Saud; Usmani, B. D. (2011-09-14). Concise History of Islam. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789382573470.
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