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 comune is included in the Gargano National Park.

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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.

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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.

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Geography

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.

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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.

 

Landmarks

Vieste's most famous point 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