Vieste

Vieste[3] (Italian: [ˈvjɛste, viˈɛste];[4][5] 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.

Vieste
Vìst (Neapolitan)
Comune di Vieste
Coat of arms of Vieste
Location of Vieste
Vieste is located in Italy
Vieste
Vieste
Location of Vieste in Italy
Vieste is located in Apulia
Vieste
Vieste
Vieste (Apulia)
Coordinates: 41°53′N 16°10′E
CountryItaly
RegionApulia
ProvinceFoggia (FG)
FrazioniPugnochiuso, Baia di Campi
Government
  MayorGiuseppe Nobiletti
Area
  Total167.52 km2 (64.68 sq mi)
Elevation
43 m (141 ft)
Population
 (28 February 2017)[2]
  Total13,931
  Density83/km2 (220/sq mi)
DemonymViestani
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
71019
Dialing code0884
Patron saintSanta Maria di Merino, Saint George
Saint day9 May and 23 April
WebsiteOfficial website

History

View from the port

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

In 1554 approximately 7,000 inhabitants were enslaved by the Turks. Those deemed too elderly or infirm for slavery were executed.[3] This event is commemorated in an annual ceremony.

Geography

An example of erosion on the coast

The town is bordered by Mattinata, Monte Sant'Angelo, Peschici and Vico del Gargano. The coast has interesting geology; cliffs composed of chalk-like white limestone, sparsely banded with thin layers of flint. Next to the town there are two large, straight beaches. The remainder of the coast is composed of gulfs and small, hidden sandy beaches. Erosion by water and wind has shaped the calcareous rock into grottoes and arches. The coast is rugged, and many interesting sights are accessible only by sea.

Pizzomunno and its legend

The sea stack Pizzomunno standing at the north end of the Spiaggia del Castello (Castle Beach)
Pizzomunno, seen in close-up, viewed from the sea, with bathers at its base, showing scale

Vieste's best-known landform is Pizzomunno, a sea stack standing 26.6 m (87 ft) high, situated on the Spiaggia del Castello ("Castle Beach").

The stone connects to a local legend about a fisherman called Pizzomunno whose true love was captured by sirens and imprisoned under the sea. The story tells how he swam out to rescue her, but became exhausted and gave up hope, turning to stone.[6] Other myths about the rock are that it disappears on some nights, and that a wish made while circling it will come true.[6]

Economy

Until a few decades ago, Vieste's primary economy was fishing and agriculture. Now tourism, with hotels, resorts and camping facilities, has transformed the town's appearance, economy and lifestyle.

Notable buildings

  • A castle, with a triangular shape and bastions at its vertexes.
  • Vieste 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. "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)
  3. Syed, Muzaffar Husain; Akhtar, Syed Saud; Usmani, B. D. (2011-09-14). Concise History of Islam. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789382573470.
  4. Luciano Canepari. "Vieste". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  5. "Vieste". Dizionario d'Ortografia e di Pronunzia (in Italian). Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  6. Chainey, Dee Dee; Winsham, Willow (4 March 2021). Treasury of Folklore – Seas and Rivers: Sirens, Selkies and Ghost Ships. Batsford. ISBN 978-1-84994-705-3.
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