Vieste
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Vieste
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The harbour of Vieste lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy at the easternmost tip of the Promontorio del Gargano, the ‘spur’ projecting from the ‘boot’ of the peninsula. It is the closest point to the coast of Croatia some 70 miles NNE and as such is a popular port of call for yachts crossing to and from that coast. A former Greek city and later Roman colony, Vieste’s strategic position at the end of the promontory and its partially sheltered natural harbour caused it to be fought over during succeeding centuries by Byzantines, Normans, Venetians, and Saracens. The latter, under the Turkish privateer Turgut (Dragut) Reis, carried out a particularly brutal attack in 1554, during which all those inhabitants who could not be sold into slavery were beheaded on a stone, the Chianca Amara (Bitter Stone), still preserved in the old town. Today the town is a popular tourist resort in view of its fine beaches and easy access to the Gargano National Park. Its harbour provides pontoon moorings in a good shelter for around 110 yachts of up to 30 metres.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 186 - Vlore to Bar and Brindisi to Vieste
- 1443 - Barletta- Manfredonia and Ortona- with Approaches
- Italian charts
- 921
- 922
- 32 - From Gallipoli to Porto Badisco with Cape S. Maria di Leuca and Ugento Shallows
- 199
Weather
During the summer months, the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal sea breezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared “bora” is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest “bora” is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the “Scirocco”, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the “bora”, which can arrive without warning, a “scirocco” tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).
Note: With strong northerly winds, acceleration over and around the Gargano promontory can cause gusts of gale force and more along the coast and across the Golfo di Manfredonia between Vieste and Trani.
Sources for weather information:
- There is a continuous (computerized voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
- The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
- Navtex weather forecasts covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)
Passages
See Adriatic.
Islands
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The harbour of Vieste lies in a bight protected from S by the rocky headland of Punta San Francesco, from E by the small island of Isola Santa Eufemia and from N by a long breakwater. Entrance is between this northern breakwater and a shorter, eastern breakwater extending N and W from the island. Smaller vessels use the channel between the island and the mainland, but depths here are little more than 1.0 - 1.5 metres and it is not for yachts. The lighthouse on the island is conspicuous from several miles off. In the approach from S, give the headland of Punta San Francesco a generous clearance as there is an underwater rock lying 100 metres E of it. Shelter in Vieste harbour is good, although strong NE winds create an uncomfortable swell.
Berthing
Vieste Harbour
Visiting yachts berth on one of the pontoons extending from the SE side of the harbour, which are operated by different concessionaires. Usually, a yacht will be hailed on approach by one or more of the mooring operators. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 metres at the root to 6.0 metres at the end. Water and electricity on all the pontoons. Toilets and showers. Distributed between the pontoons there are around 110 spaces for yachts of up to 30 metres.
Note: Improvements are in place (December 2010) to the harbour to create a further 650 berths, mostly on pontoons along the northern mole, as well as boatyard services and hard standing.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (0884) 708 791; VHF channels 14 & 16
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
- No anchoring in the harbour
Bay South of Old City
![Anchorage icon](/images/thumb/3/3f/Anchor_Icon.png/12px-Anchor_Icon.png)
Amenities
Facilities | |
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Water | In all the pontoons |
Electricity | In all the pontoons |
Toilets | In the harbour |
Showers | In the harbour |
Laundry | N/A (Not Available |
Garbage | Bins near the pontoons |
Supplies | |
Fuel | On the quay (0800 - 1800) |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | None |
Services | |
Repairs | Slipway. Mobile crane (35 T). Fixed crane (7 T). Some hard standing. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood fiberglass hull repairs. Divers |
Internet | ? |
Mobile connectivity | ? |
Vehicle rentals | Several rental outlets in the town |
Provisioning
Good supermarket and numerous provisions shops in the town.
Eating out
- Excellent restaurants and pizzerias in the town.
- Ristorante La Ripa is great for fish (try the zarzuela di pesche saracena)
- Enoteca Vesta is a cosy wine bar with excellent fish dishes
Transportation
- Buses to most local destinations from Piazzale Manzoni in the town.
- Ferries to Manfredonia, Isole Tremite and several Croatian islands.
Tourism
The old town of Vieste, perched on high cliffs overlooking the harbour, is a delight to explore, with narrow, cobbled streets and arcaded passages along the clifftop. On the Via Cimagliaon is the Chianca Amara (Bitter Stone), on which several thousand inhabitants of the town were beheaded by the Turks in 1554. The cathedral, originally 11th century but much altered, has original columns and an ornate painted ceiling. It contains a much-venerated wooden statue of Santa Maria di Merino, discovered on a beach north of Vieste. At the top of the town is a castle built by Frederick II in 1240 (now occupied by the military). With transport, it is possible to visit the Gargano National Park and its wonderful ancient broadleaf Umbra Forest (Shady Forest). The peninsula also includes the charming mountain village of Vico del Gargano and fishing harbour and village of Peschici, both well worth a visit. For those of a religious bent, the village of Monte Sant’ Angelo has a spooky grotto over which a church was constructed following a miraculous incident involving a recumbent cow and a bending arrow (use your imagination) and a subsequent 5th century appearance of St Michael to a local bishop. A further 15 kilometres inland is the rather tacky religious conclave of San Giovanni Rotondo (of Padre Pio fame). While the town is rather touristy and exploitative of the faithful, seven million of whom visit each year, the simple grandeur of Padre Pio’s black marble tomb is rather moving.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References & Publications
See Italy.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Vieste and this page's details validated:
- May 2005--Athene of Lymington 17:15, 30 December 2010 (UTC)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |