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
Government
  Mayor Ersilia Nobile (Forza Italia)
Area
  Total 167.52 km2 (64.68 sq mi)
Elevation 43 m (141 ft)
Population (1 August 2009)[1]
  Total 13,827
  Density 83/km2 (210/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Viestani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 71019
Dialing code 0884
Patron saint Santa Maria di Merino, San Giorgio
Saint day 9 May and 23 April
Website Official 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.

Episcopal Ordinaries

(all Roman Rite) (incomplete: first centuries unavailable)

Suffragan Bishops of Vieste
Cathedral of Vieste

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:

Notes and references

  1. All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vieste.

Source and External links


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, December 08, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.