HISTORY

Vasto

The ancient Histonium was established by Diomede. The city of the Frentani, was inhabited even by the Romans; it was a rebel city during the social war, then it became a Municipio. Destroyed by Silva, it was then fortified by Teodorico, to be then joined to the Ducato of Benevento. In 802it was conquered and destroyed by Pipino. In 1463 it was conquered by Ferdinando I; from 1496 to 1798 it was owned to the D'Avalos. The city was more than once sacked and hit by hearthquakes.

Vasto is the city where born the poet Gabriele Rossetti and the painters Fratelli Palizzi, Gabriele Smargiassi, Valerio Laccetti.

We are glad to introduce you some of the excusrions that can be made by leaving the Hotel President in Vasto. You can for sure spend the whole day on the beach, but we suggest you to visit:

• The Abruzzo, Latium and Molise National Park
• The Gargano promontory and S.Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio)
• Tremiti Islands
• The Basilica of the Miracle of Lanciano
• The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere (XII century)
• The Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli in Casalbordino
• English War Cemetery

You can furthermore enjoy our most important and famous daily and nightly attractions, such as the Aqualand del Vasto, water themed park, and the Baja Village disco club.

Sea & Mountain

Discover Abruzzo

Religious tourism finds in Abruzzo one of its most exciting destinations. Abruzzo has always been ideal ground for spiritual research due to the particular geographical position, in the center between the North and the South, and so close to Rome, both for the variety of environments, from the peaks of the Little Tibet of Europe to the Wild Adriatic, sharply contrasting but both of such a great beauty. It is not a coincidence that the Abruzzo has been fertile ground for the development of monasticism and asceticism, whose fascinating testimonies are the hermitages on the Majella and the richest Cistercian and Benedictine abbeys one can visit in the whole region.

The flavors of Abruzzo are those of a generous land whereare still cultivated specialities that are unique due to the landscape and the climate that in a few kilometers join mountains and the sea. Meat and cheese are the main ingredients of the cooking in the inland areas, while fish is the king of the coastal ones.

Many of the typical products of Abruzzo are a Slow Food Presidium and are protected according to criteria of land conservation and processing methods. In each area you will find specialties that are handed down in the Abruzzo gastronomic culture of that specific area and you will not find elsewhere.

The world of traditions in Abruzzo is extraordinarily rich and almost untouched by modern life, preserved and handed down by the tenacity and pride of the people of Abruzzo.

The religious and folk abuzzese events are indeed a unique heritage of ancient rituals that preserves the identity of the people and the territory. They are nowadays the glue of local communities and preserve their history and knowledge. In the background there are always amazing landscapes and medieval villages.

The artistic handicraft too enjoys the same pure condition of the folk events. It follows its models, that are different than the one of the next Regions and offers fine and spectacular examples in the shape and materials that are cultivated since the most ancient times.

Events & Activities

A lot are the activities, the festivals, exhibitions, theather shows, event, musical events, sport events, that are held in Vasto all year long. In Vasto are also held a lot of congresses and conferences.

Among the most important events:

• Ferroluglio and Ferragosto with pyrotechnic fires on the sea;
                  
• Ice Cream Festival, along Corso Italia;
                  
• Festival of the Return dedicated to the figure of the emigrant;
                  
• International Festival of Ethnic Music and Dance;
                  
• Fair of Chocolate and Dolce, Vasto;
                  
• Golden Gulf - Stefania Rotolo Award;
                  
• Antiques and Crafts Market, in the center of Vasto;
                  
• Market and exhibition of vintage motorcycles;
                  
• Ceramics exhibition "Playing with art;
                  
• Palio rowing at Punta Penna;
                  
• Ecological walk for the blind,
                  
• Personal Paintings;
                  
• "Settim Settim Zimarino" Polyphonic Choir Prize;
                  
• Vintage Car Meeting "Città del Vasto";
                  
• Review of Abruzzese Dialectal Poetry;
                  
• Sagra delle Campanelle di San Rocco;
                  
• Sagra dei Cavatell 'e Piluse;
                  
• Bread Festival onde and pamnmadèure;
                  
• Pizza Festival;
                  
• Sagra de le sagne and fasciule;
                  
• Scrippelle Festival;
                  
• Sagra VinVasto, at the Cantina S. Michele;
                  
• Traditional concert of August 16th at the Marina di Vasto;
                  
• Vasto Film Festival;
                  
• Vasto Jazz, New acoustic music;
                  
• Vasto Music Festival;
                  
• Winter Film Festival;
                  
• The Elven Farm.