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the Mermaid in Vasto in Italiano

Vasto

Province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

An ancient Adriatic city, lying on a hill that slopes toward the coast and offering a splendid panorama, Vasto offers a wealth of art and architecture, a splendid coastline with the rocky promontory of Punta d'Erce (or Aderci), beautiful stretches of golden sand and crystal clear waters, genuine food and wines coming from the hinterland, and a rich cuisine including the internationally famous "brodetto vastese". In summer numerous cultural events are held and Vasto Marina becomes a lively summer resort.

arrowInfo:
Altitude: 144 m a.s.l -- Distance from Chieti: 76 km -- Population: ca. 39000 inhabitants -- Zip code: 66054, Vasto Marina 66055 -- Phone Area Code: 0873 -- Frazioni: Difenza, Incoronata, Lebba, Montevecchio, Pagliarelli, Pian di Marco, Pozzitello, San Biagio, San Lorenzo, San Nicola, Sant'Antonio Abate, San Tommaso, Vasto Marina, Vignola, Villa De Nardis, Zimarino -- How to reach it:
- by road motorway A14 exit Vasto Nord or Vasto Sud
- bus, trains: buses depart from Chieti, Pescara and Rome, and there is a railway station with almost hourly connections to Pescara
- road: State road 16 Adriatica, A14 exits Vasto Nord and Vasto Sud

arrowHistory:
The first human settlements date back to 13th century BC, when Vasto was a center of the Frentani people, according to the legend founded by the Greek hero Diomedes. Later on it became a Roman municipium with the name of Histonium. In the late Empire a phase of decline began, culminating in the destruction of the 10th century AD. It was rebuilt after the 11th century with the Lombard name of Guasto, which then was changed into the current name. The first feudal lords were the Caldora, followed from 1496 to 1798 by the d'Avalos, who greatly embellished the town with monuments and priceless artworks. It is also the hometown of painter Filippo Palizzi (Vasto, 16 June 1818 – Naples, 11 September 1899), whose works can be admired at the Museo Civico and in Naples.

arrowEvents & Festivities
  • Good Friday: procession for the Death of Christ;
  • 15 August: celebrations for Maria Stella Maris, with night fireworks on the sea;
  • August: "Toson d'Oro", historical re-enactement in costume.

arrowHotels, Lodging, Restaurants

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

arrowSights & Excursions
  • the 13th-century Castle, a majestic fortress with towers and mullions;
  • the Caldora Palace, renovated by the d'Avalos after a fire in 1566 and again in the 18th century, which still preserves parts of the original construction, as a splendid Gothic bi-lobate window;
  • the Cathedral of San Giuseppe, preserving a fine tryptich of the early 16th century by Michele Greco of Lavelona
  • the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, hosting fine paintings as one St. Michel the Archangel by F. Solimena;
  • the church of Sant'Antonio, with remarkable late-Baroque stuccoes;
  • the church of San Francesco di Paola, with inside paintings by N.M. Rossi and F. Andreola
  • the church of Santa Maria dal Carmine, preserving works by F. Fischetti;
  • the 14th-century d'Avalos Palace, today the seat of the Archeological Museum and a Pinacoteque
  • the church of Sant'Onofrio

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