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Vieste is on the eastern side of Gargano, between S. Lorenzo's ARENICI and
the Castle's beach. The marine landscape is various: wide sandy
beaches, high and intended shite and plenty of ravines coasts. Somone says that
Vieste is called after the ancent Apeneste; someone says that it is called
after an ancient Vesta's temple. They first talked about Vieste on about
year 1000. In 1118 it became bishop's site. Its port has been very important
during its very ancient history. A very aged history plenty of destructions
and legends. Destructions such as the 1554's one. the CORSARO Dragut
decapitated hundreds of inhabitants over the "CHIANCA AMARA", a big rock on
the historic centre, and took thousands into slavery. Legends such as the
Pizzomunno's one, a 25 m. high white MONOLITE FARAGLIONE. The legend says
that the mermaids transformed a young man into stone because they were
jealous of his relationship with the beautiful Cristalda. Every population has left a sign ot its presence in Vieste. Frederick II
guilt the castle and restored the ancient cathedral. Amongst its important
citizens there is a famous mathematician: Lorenzo Fazzini. A must-see: the
gorgeous medieval district, the Frederick II's castle's (1240); the
wonderful cathedral (XI century) destroyed by the 1646's earthquake,
rebuilted and restored. Within the cathedral there are paintings of Madonna
del Rosario (XVI century), SS. Tranita' (XVIII century) and Madonna col
Bambino (XVII century). 6 Km. away from Vieste, there is the little church
of S. Maria di Merino. The inhabitants have a deep religious feeling for
this "Our Lady": evey 9th May, they got the 400's canvas from the Cathedral
to the old little church. Nearby an archeological site with remains of a I
century's romanic villa.
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