Vasto is a suggestive place overlooking the splendid Golden Gulf: read the post to organize a stay between history, sea and nature reserves in Abruzzo.
After traveling from north to south the suggestive Abruzzo coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea, we conclude our journey by going to the southern border of the Theatine coast.
Let's go and discover the history and tourism of the town of Vasto, in the province of Chieti.
Vasto is located on a hill which descends towards the sea and overlooks the splendid Gulf of gold, as the bay of the Gulf of Vasto is called. Here the long sandy beach of the Vasto coast extends.
Like the other towns of the Abruzzo coast, Vasto is divided into the historic center located on a hill and in the tourist area of Vasto Marina.
The origins of Vasto
The origins of Vasto date back to 3000 years ago: inhabited by the Frentani, the city took the name of Histon, which became Histonium in Roman times.
Over time, it experienced various periods, some of splendor and others marked by decline. Paradoxical is the name that was given to it by the Lombards, Guasto.
Contrary to the meaning of its name, during the Lombard period the city experienced a great growth and a period of prosperity. Although from the Middle Ages to today Vasto has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, it preserves its history almost intact.
The historic center of Vasto
Let's start the historical itinerary from the splendid D'Avalos Palace, raised by the homonymous family. Built in Renaissance style, the palace dominates the landscape on the Adriatic coast and is enriched by a splendid Neapolitan garden.
Today the building houses the Archaeological Museum which preserves the history of the city; and the Pinacoteca, which houses the nineteenth-century works of the Palizzi brothers. The complex is also used for events and exhibitions.
Once in Piazza Rossetti, after passing the historic one Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the fourteenth-century Cathedral of San Giuseppe, you can admire the Caldoresco Castle. Commissioned in the mid-XNUMXth century to the architect Mariano di Jacopo da Giacomo Caldora and built on a pre-existing fortification. The castle, built around a medieval-style courtyard, dominates the coast and the Barbacani and Rossetti squares.
From here we continue for the walk at Roman baths in Via Adriatica, along the eastern belvedere of Vasto.
The Roman Baths testify to the historical importance of Vasto and its grandiose imperial past.
Dating back to the XNUMXnd century AD, excavations have brought to light several areas and two important mosaics have been found, Neptune and Marino.
The nature of Vasto: Punta Aderci Reserve
A few kilometers from the center, we pass from history to the nature of Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, which extends from the beach of Punta Penna, adjacent to the Port of Vasto, at the mouth of the Sinello river. This is perhaps the most suggestive coastal stretch of the whole Abruzzo.
Along the walk of Porta Penna, where the information point is located, sandy beaches alternate with those made of pebbles, suggestive cliffs and points rich in Mediterranean vegetation.
Once in Punta Aderci, the panorama offers an exciting view of the cliffs and, in the middle of the sea, an ancient overflow appears, of which Vasto is actually rich. The trabocchi are the ancient fishing machines, many of which are now used as restaurants where it is possible to taste typical Abruzzo seafood, suspended over the sea.
In addition to nature and history, Vasto also offers fun for the whole family, withAqualand del Vasto, the famous water park of the town, open during the summer.
Despite being a seaside resort, Vasto is so rich in history and points of naturalistic importance that it is a pleasure to visit it in any season.
