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Vieste

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Vieste
Comune
Comune di Vieste
Location of Vieste
Map
CountryItaly
Region Apulia
ProvinceFoggia (FG)
FrazioniPugnochiuso
Government
 • MayorGiuseppe Nobiletti (Vieste Sei Tu)
Area
[1]
 • Total167.52 km2 (64.68 sq mi)
Elevation
43 m (141 ft)
Population
 (1 August 2009)[2]
 • Total13,827
 • Density83/km2 (210/sq mi)
DemonymViestani
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
71019
Dialing code0884
Patron saintSanta Maria di Merino, San Giorgio
Saint day9 May and 23 April
WebsiteOfficial website

Vieste 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 commune is included in the Gargano National Park.

History

Vieste, 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 5,000 inhabitants were executed by the Turks, on the grounds that they were too elderly or infirm to merit transportation into slavery. This event is commemorated annually in a ceremony, which has now degenerated into a kind of summer Halloween.

Ecclesiastical History

The Diocese of Vieste was established around 1100 AD.

On 27 June 1818 it was suppressed, its territory being merged into the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Manfredonia, which adopted its title only on 30 September 1986, when it was renamed as Archdiocese of Manfredonia–Vieste. Its Marian former cathedral is now the Vieste Co-cathedral and a minor basilica.

Geography

An example of erosion on the coast
Vieste, view 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

Till 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.

Landmarks

Vieste's most famous point is Pizzomunno, a vertical rocky monolith standing at 25 metres (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

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vieste.


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