Commissioned by Marquis Cesare Michelangelo, the gardens of Palazzo d’Avalos are one of the most enchanting and distinctive spots in the city. Their charm lies in the harmony between nature and human intervention, evident in the late Baroque architectural details and, most notably, in the breathtaking panorama from the viewpoint, overlooking the Gulf of Vasto.…
In the north wing of Palazzo d’Avalos, visitors can also explore the Museum of Traditional Costume, which began in 1995 with a collection initiated by the local Lions Club. This effort was aimed at creating an ethnographic archive focused on Vasto and the surrounding area. The first room is dedicated to the art of tombolo,…
The four Palizzi brothers were born between 1812 and 1825 to Antonio Palizzi, a Sicilian from a family long settled in Lanciano, and Doralice Del Greco, the daughter of a notary from Vasto. The family, which eventually included nine children, moved to Vasto in 1812, settling in a house on Via San Teodoro (now Via…
A visit to the municipal art gallery of Vasto is an excellent opportunity to admire beautiful examples of mid-19th-century Verismo painting, and above all, to relive the city’s cultural history through the works of its most prominent artists. Vasto has produced several talented painters, many of whom worked primarily in the Neapolitan art scene, both…
The D’Avalos family, likely of Visigothic origin, arrived in Italy as part of Alfonso I of Aragon’s entourage. They distinguished themselves through military prowess, diplomatic skill, and loyalty to the Crown—qualities that ensured they maintained a prominent role in both Italian and European politics of the time. The brothers Innico, Alfonso, and Rodrigo, sons of…
Since 1986, the Golden Fleece ceremony has been held annually in Vasto, bringing the city’s streets to life. Participants, dressed in elaborate and colorful 18th-century costumes, take part in two processions. One group represents the d’Avalos family and other influential families of the time, while the other portrays the Colonna family and their entourage. Once…
Cesare Michelangelo d’Avalos d’Aquino d’Aragona was born in Vasto on January 15, 1667, and baptized on January 19 in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. He was the third son of Diego I d’Avalos, Marquis of Vasto. After the untimely death of his elder brother, who left no heirs, Cesare Michelangelo assumed the title of…
Born in Vasto in 1860, to a wealthy family of merchants, Luigi Anelli demonstrated his witty streak very early on, founding his first newspaper at just 18 years old. At 25, he published the first edition of his “Ricordi di Storia Vastese” in Naples. Having returned to his hometown, at the age of 35 he…
Luigi Marchesani was born in Vasto in 1802. Son of a notary, he graduated in medicine in Naples, where he practiced until 1837, distinguishing himself as a teacher and researcher, and publishing numerous essays. In 1842, he founded the Vasto hospital, where he worked as surgeon and director. Always passionate about homeland history, in 1841…
The Archaeological Museum is the oldest in Abruzzo, founded in 1849 as the Municipal Archaeological Cabinet of Vasto, by the local doctor and historian, Luigi Marchesani. His intent was to collect the finds made available by some historic families of the city, together with those that he himself collected and catalogued, on the occasion of…