Vieste is a town in the province of Foggia in Puglia, or Apulia, in the south of Italy. It is a marine resort in Gargano, the little bit that sticks out like a spur on the heel of the Italian boot.
In medieval times the port was frequently attacked by pirates, Saracens and other enemies of the Kingdom of Naples. Now it basks in peaceful sunshine.
It has received Blue Flags for the purity of its waters from the Foundation for Environment Education. Decades ago it relied on fishing and agriculture, but tourism is its main money earner. Thousands flock here in the summer.
We drove in through forests and olive trees. We came to what we thought was Vieste, but it was Peschici sitting prettily on a cliff.
Vieste was another 30 minutes away on narrow, winding roads.
Vieste’s most known sight is Pizzomunno, a vertical rocky monolith standing 25metres near Spiaggio del Castello.
Our hotel was right beside it. They said they had a good view of the rock and they were correct.
The pictures of Pizzomunno don’t show the hotel on the top. Town planners have a lot to answer for.
The beach beside Pizzomunno was pleasant enough, with reasonable sand.
We wandered in the historic centre, which was practically empty. We were a bit too early in the season.
The cathedral is in Apulia Romanesque style. The bell tower is 18th century Baroque built after the original collapsed.
The church was dressed up for an event.
The lighthouse was built in 1867.
There were some pretty views from the top of the town.
…and some not. Those town planners again. The new part of town is quite large, to cope with the hoards of tourist who descend on the town in summer. I thought it was completely charmless and a bad introduction to the town, a chaotic, ramshackle collection of buildings.
This is the best view of Vieste.
The hotel recommended Vecchio Vieste for dinner. It sits beside one of the old entrances into the town.
The food was great and our charming waiter, Renato,told us with pride about the local ingredients and the story of the pirates who broke through the door on the entrance beside us and killed 500 residents.
I know Vieste looks quite nice in the photos, but I tried to pick the best of it. I was disappointed with the town. It needs some serious love. If I close my eyes and imagine it in the season, at night, with lights on, shops open and people about it would be better.
Here is a photo of Pizzomunno in the late afternoon.
…and the early morning.
