Italy -> Apulia-> Gargano-> Vieste-> History

THE CASTLE
This is in the upper part of the town and was built by Emperor Frederick II, by whom the Gargano peninsula was particularly favoured. The development of military warfare and the incursions of the Turkish fleet later made it necessary to strengthen the defensive system with bastions and walls with escarpments, embrasures and ramparts, and similar fortresses were constructed throughout the region. In 1648 an earthquake seriously damaged the castle. It is now occupied by a military installation.

THE CATHEDRAL
Built in the 11th century on what is thought to have been the site of a pre-Christian temple, the cathedral was extensively altered and
extended over the following centuries. However, the nave and the two side aisles still maintain their original form, terminating in a triple
apse. The north wall and its doorjire also from the earliest period of the cathedral, as are the columns and the capitals, decorated in Cam-
pano-Beneventan style mixed with Barbarian and Islamic motifs. Parts of the cathedral from later periods include the painted ceiling
of the nave, the marble altar columns and stucco work from the 18th century. In the Cappella del Popolo there is a carved wooden statue of the
Madonna di Merino, the patron saint of Vieste.
THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO
This picturesque church dating back to 1438 is situated right at the edge of the original town centre, next to the ancient Santa Caterina di Alessandria Convent.
CAPUCHIN CHURCH AND MONASTERY
These are near the harbour, and were built in 1642. The Church is dedicated to St Mary of Constantinople, and it has a fine 17th-century painting by De Lo Preite. The monastery was closed in 1867.
COASTAL TOWERS
Many of the coastal towers erected in the 16th century to defend the Kingdom of Naples against Turkish marauders can still be seen. The alarm was given by firing small cannons and the display of warning signals. The towers in Vieste date back to 1568, but several of them had been abandoned by the end of the 18th century.
GHIANG AMER OR 'THE BITTER STONE
Legend has it that this was the rock upon which, during the sack of  Vieste in 1554 byTurkishtroops,theirleader, DraugutRais, ordered the slaughter of all the inhabitants who were too old or feeble to be used as hostages or sold as slaves.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Vieste has several ancient burial sites dating back to the 3rd century AD, as well as remains of ancient stone walls, San Nicola, the Salata: early Christian tombs {4th-8th century BC). Sfinallcchio: Palaeolithic rock carvings (10,000 BC). Defensola: Neolithic mine workings (6000 BC) San Salvatore: Tombs (6000-2000 BC). Santa Maria Fioravanti: Roman ruins. Sant'Eufemia Rocks; Sanctuary dedicated to the saint with votive inscriptions from many different periods.