Vieste (source: Visual Puglia )
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).
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Daunia and Gargano territories offer a wide variety of scenarios: sweet hills in Fortore river valley, Daunian Apennine area and Ofanto river valley, Gargano national park, Tavoliere delle Puglie tableland and unpolluted Tremiti archipelago. Where endless wheat stretches rise and one can watch without seeing the horizon there is the Tavoliere, a witness of Foggia, San Severo and Cerignola the agricultural tradition. The greenest area in Apulia: Gargano National Park. It stands for its vegetation, ranging from forests to maquis. Five Tremiti islands are considered as veritable natural heavens. Sea beds, caves and erosions carved by the waves and winds represent overpowering attractions for scuba divers and sea lovers.
St. Mary of the Graces and the Capuchin Monastery - San Giovanni Rotondo
Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Stignano - San Marco in Lamis
Tremiti Archipelago in north of Gargano National Park. Two of the islands have been populated since antiquity and the wonderful natural scenario they are in is enriched by the several stories and legends which have been passed over for centuries now, showing the tight connection between islanders, sea and nature
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Gargano National Park covers the whole homonymous cape and also includes Tremiti Islan archipelago. In this park there are several rare protected habitats such as Foresta Umbra ('Umbrian forest'), the last existing sample of a vegetation characterizing most of Mediterranean area during prehistory
Daunia, ancient Capitanata region, includes the Preappennines, the Apulian Tavoliere and Gargano. Its landscape is extremely diverse and ranges from the green of inland parks and forests to the yellow of wheat in the Tavoliere, to the blue of sea water in contrast with coastal white cliffs.
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia