Gargano: Vieste and surroundings
The Gargano is a synonym of colours, nature, art, history and traditions. An amazing mosaic made of picturesque villages, situated on high, steep cliffs and fascinating testimonies of antique architecture, embedded in landscapes that could not be more colourful and varied: the sea with its countless shades of blue and green, mysterious caves, golden beaches, fragrant pine woods, the fascinating mountains with high plateaus and the “Foresta Umbra, the biggest leafy wood in southern Italy. Due to the particularly advantageous climatic conditions, the Gargano has not only a very long summer, but also a unique atmosphere during every season.
Vieste is a picturesque village on a steep cliff, guarded by a Swabian Castle and a gigantic monolith, called "Pizzomunno". On the low section of the small peninsula there`s the district of the 18th century and the modern quarter, while the historical centre is situated on the cliff. Thanks to the outstanding quality of he sea water and the exemplary touristic services, Vieste has been repeatedly awarded with the European Blue Flag of the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). Vieste is part of the National Park and the "Comunità Montana" (Mountain Community) of the Gargano.
Innumerable are the possibilities to discover this fascinating area. Excursions by boat to the sea caves or to the Tremiti Islands, along the coast with the characteristic guard towers from the XVI century, in the enormous forest Foresta Umbra” with its unique scenery and the rich flora and fauna, San Giovanni Rotondo (the place of Saint Pius), Monte Sant'Angelo with the pilgrimage church of the holy Archangel Michael, as well as San Marco in Lamis with the sanctuary of the apostle Matthew. Particularly interesting is the necropolis "La Salata" from the early-christian era, in the east of Vieste, and the historical church "Santa Maria di Merino".
