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Vieste is located within the Gargano National Park, between the towns of Peschici and Pugnochiuso.
The first settlers to the Vieste area date back to the Palaeolithic period, during which certain nomadic populations established themselves in the area as a result of the favourable climatic conditions and the abundance of water, game and marine life. There are also numerous tombs from the Iron Age that have been discovered on the San Francesco headland.
Findings from both within the city walls and the surrounding areas testify to the existence of numerous houses and of thermal baths from the Pre-Roman era.
More recent Norman constructions dating back to the High Mediaeval period have been found. This castle and cathedral were then strengthened and rebuilt on express order from Frederick II of Swabia.
An obligatory stop during voyages to and from the East, Vieste was once attacked and razed to the ground by the Saracens, who in 1480 and 1554 ordered mass deportation of citizens.
From as far back as 1800, Vieste contributed to the movements of the Italian Unification, leading to the formation of secret societies and the promotion of the local “Carboneria” (the Good Cousins – an offshoot of the Masons).