There is something unique about the Cathedral of Vasto—a blend of modesty and grandeur that only its history can explain. Founded in 1262 by Count Rolando Palatino, the church was originally dedicated to Santa Margherita. In the 14th century, Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples, granted it to the Augustinian Order, whose monastery stood…
The exterior of Santa Maria Maggiore is irregular, built with rough brick, and contrasts with the artistic elegance of its Neoclassical interior. However, it bears numerous traces of the transformations the grand structure has undergone over time. For this reason, a full tour around the building is essential to truly appreciate its architectural evolution. Starting…
Inside the Cathedral of San Giuseppe, the design and decorations are eclectic, drawing inspiration from a Neo-Gothic style. The color contrasts in the wall decorations, featuring white and green marble, echo the bicromatic design of Tuscany’s great 13th-century cathedrals. The church took on its present form after 1890, following restoration work by Francesco Benedetti. It…
The exterior of the Cathedral of San Giuseppe does not have a uniform character and reflects the various historical phases that contributed to the monument’s current appearance. The façade was likely constructed in three stages. Initially, it was designed in a simple gabled form, typical of the conventual churches of mendicant orders like the Augustinians,…
We enter the church through the vestibule, passing the stunning bronze doors created by sculptor Antonio Di Spalatro for the Jubilee Year 2000. From here, we step to the left into the central nave, walking beneath the choir loft, where a magnificent organ—crafted by Ponziano Bevilacqua in the early 20th century—stands. Below the loft, at…
In Santa Maria Maggiore, traces of the past dating back to the early centuries of Christianity are visible, representing the oldest core of the medieval city. This area was once part of the “castellum,” the nucleus of urban revival after the depopulation following the Gothic War in the sixth century. By 427, a church dedicated…
The Church of San Pietro in Vasto, although no longer existing today, having been demolished after a landslide in 1956, represents a fundamental chapter in the religious and cultural history of the city. Its story, full of events and changes, is closely intertwined with the events of Vasto and its noble families. Its origins are…
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…
…scrivere
The Church of Santa Maria del Carmine is considered the most beautiful in Vasto from an architectural perspective, as it is the only one with a defined and cohesive style, both inside and outside. Its façade and bell tower, constructed between 1758 and 1761 based on designs by architect Mario Gioffredo, are excellent examples of…