Vieste

The historic center of Vieste, commonly called" Vieste Vecchia ", stands compactly on a rock overlooking the sea that extends from the beach of the castle to that of the"marina piccola", crossing the thin strip of land of" Punta San Francesco". The ancient village, of medieval origin, has kept its original characters almost intact, with its characteristic irregular alleys, the belvedere squares(open to the sea view) and the terraced houses marked by small balconies(or balconies) and joined by small and characteristic arches, in correspondence with the streets.

The palaces, churches and small residential building types appear compact and massive, almost seeming to be a single building.

In the highest area of the historic center of Vieste, after passing the “Ad alt” gate, we find the main buildings; in particular, the castle and the Cathedral, dating back to the Middle Ages.

Going north, going down the stairs of Via Vesta, we arrive at piazzetta del Seggio, on the cliff of the Ripa. The Seggio or Sedile di S. Giorgio(currently the seat of a hotel) was a low building, with a square base, on which two large arches opened, and was surmounted by a tower with a clock. It was once the town hall of the city.

The small church of San Pietro d'Alcantara and then Punta San Francesco, the beautiful peninsula with the characteristic religious complex dating back to 1438

Little frequented during the year, in summer the narrow streets of the historic center are populated with bazaars and tourist shops.