Vasto, Coastal commune in Province of Chieti, Italy
Vasto is a commune in the Province of Chieti that occupies a hilltop at 138 meters elevation, with streets descending toward the Adriatic Sea and golden sand beaches below. The old center consists of narrow lanes with pale stone houses, while newer quarters run along the shoreline.
The settlement began as Histonium, a Roman municipium, following legends of Greek hero Diomedes founding it in the 13th century BC. During medieval times, the town passed through several noble families before joining the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century.
The Civic Archaeological Museum displays regional artifacts and artwork collections within the neapolitan-style Palazzo d'Avalos and its gardens. Workshops in the old streets produce ceramics and handwoven textiles following traditional methods passed down through generations.
Travelers reach the town via the A14 motorway exits at Vasto Nord or Sud, with regular train connections to Pescara running throughout the day. The beaches lie roughly 15 minutes on foot from the hilltop center and are accessible by stairs or winding roads.
The protected nature reserve of Punta d'Erca preserves traditional wooden fishing platforms called trabocchi that extend over the Adriatic waters. These structures once allowed fishing without boats and are now partly used as restaurants or viewing points.
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The Abruzzes stretch between the peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. The landscape changes from high mountains to sandy beaches in a few miles. This part of Italy has three parks where hikers and skiers walk the paths in the Gran Sasso and Majella. Along the coast, old fishing platforms...
Riserva naturale guidata Punta Aderci
7.8 km
Palazzo d'Avalos
227 m
Punta Penna Lighthouse
6.6 km
Caldora Castle
27 m
Vasto Cathedral
127 m
Histonium
0 m
Santa Maria Maggiore
135 m
Baths of Vasto
435 m
Spiaggia Marina di Vasto
2.2 km
Spiaggia di Punta Penna
7 km
Spiaggia di Punta Penna
7.2 km
Spiaggia di Grotta del Saraceno
4.6 km
San Michele Arcangelo
689 m
San Giuseppe
7.7 km
Musei di Palazzo d'Avalos
193 m
Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie
5.5 km
Abbey of Saint Vitus and Salvo
7.7 km
Centro storico di San Salvo
7.7 km
Castello di Monteodorisio
5.5 kmRiserva naturale guidata Bosco di Don Venanzio
6.7 km
Chiesa di Maria Santissima del Carmine
156 m
Punta Penna Tower
6.9 km
Torre di Bassano
74 m
Stella Maris
1.3 km
Parco archeologico del Quadrilatero
7.7 km
Fortified town of Monteodorisio
5.5 km
Addolorata
7.7 km
Spiaggia di San Nicola
2.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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