The veneration of San Michele, patron saint of Vasto, has deep historical roots, dating back to the Lombard rule, when a place of worship dedicated to Sant’Arcangelo stood near the present-day church—possibly of even older, Byzantine origin. The cult of the commander of the angelic hosts never truly faded; otherwise, the people of Vasto would…
At the top of the street that shares its name, where just a couple of centuries ago open countryside stretched just beyond Vasto’s gates, stands the Palazzo di Sant’Anna. It takes its name from the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary’s mother, which occupies its ground floor. The church entrance is marked by a portico…
The Politeama Ruzzi in Vasto is a historic theater located in the heart of the city on Corso Italia, considered an architectural gem. The facade facing Corso Italia features five arches that form the only portico in the city. On the first floor, there are three balconies and two windows. On the second floor, there…
The Stables of Palazzo Aragona are situated on a hill that overlooks Vasto to the south, offering a view towards the Trigno valley, which has historically been a strategic route linking the Abruzzo coast with the Campanian hinterland. The name “Aragona” is thought by some to stem from the fact that, when Palazzo d’Avalos was…
One of the biggest stars of the silent film era in the 1920s, Elena Sangro was born and raised at Palazzo Aragona. She was the daughter of Avveduto Bartoli-Avveduti, administrator of the affairs and estates of Duke Quarto di Belgioioso, and his wife Ortensia d’Avalos, and the noblewoman Ida Albini. Maria Antonietta Bartoli Avveduti was…
The Church of San Francesco da Paola, known locally as the Chiesa dell’Addolorata due to its famous wooden statue that inspires popular devotion, is situated on the central Piazza Rossetti. Its beautiful Neoclassical façade, designed in the mid-19th century by architect Silvestro Benedetti, features two orders of pilasters that resemble semi-columns supporting the pediment. A…
At the top of the Tre Segni hill, at the end of what is now the century-old Villa Comunale, stands a small church overlooking the sea. This is the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, modest in size and located far from the historic town center, under the religious jurisdiction of Santa Maria Maggiore. Yet, despite…
One of the most beautiful places in Vasto is its Municipal Garden, known as Villa Comunale. For over a century, this space has been a beloved retreat where nature, history, and culture blend seamlessly, serving as the go-to spot for relaxation and leisure for locals of all ages. The Municipal Garden was originally designed as…
Originally named “Corso del Littorio,” later “Corso Nuova Italia,” and finally renamed “Corso Italia,” this elegant boulevard was created in the early 1930s as a modern promenade connecting Piazza Gabriele Rossetti to the newly built Villa Comunale, located 500 meters further south at the Piana dell’Aragona. The first section, overlooking Piazza Rossetti, has recently undergone…