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,…
Riccio de Parma was a knight who participated in the legendary Disfida di Barletta (Challenge of Barletta) on February 13, 1503, when 13 Italian champions faced off against 13 French soldiers. The challenge had arisen from insults a French commander had directed at Italian soldiers in the service of the Spanish crown, at a tavern…
Born in Vasto in 1895, Raffaele Mattioli was appointed General Secretary of the Milan Chamber of Commerce at just 27 years old. Three years later, he joined Banca Commerciale Italiana, where he spent the rest of his professional career, becoming its President for the final 12 years before retiring in 1972. One of the most…
Piazza Rossetti in Vasto is rich in Masonic symbols. The monument to Gabriele Rossetti, long requested by the citizens and subject to numerous attempts to raise funds through public subscriptions, particularly among Vasto’s emigrants in the United States, remained a dream for the local administration until 1924. At that time, an unspecified association proposed to…
Originally from Ischia, the Spataro family arrived in Vasto in the 17th century. In their family palace, which overlooked the Castello square, now Piazza Rossetti, Giuseppe was born in 1897. He would go on to become Vasto’s most prominent politician after World War II. Giuseppe Spataro earned a law degree from La Sapienza University in…
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…
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…