One of the most beautiful places in Vasto is its Villa Comunale. Nature, history, and culture blend together in this space that has represented the quintessential recreational area for the people of Vasto of all ages for over a century.
Villa Comunale was conceived as a monumental avenue to connect Piazza Marconi, the square that emerged in front of the southernmost stretch of the Caldoresco walls, with the chapel of San Michele, situated atop the Tre Segni hill. The avenue was designed by engineer Luigi D’Aloisio as a tribute to the fallen soldiers of Vasto in World War I. For this purpose, 185 silver-leaved oaks were planted on either side of the avenue, one for each soldier, identified with a plaque that is still visible at the base of each tree.
On June 2, 1923, with the realization of the Viale delle Rimembranze (Avenue of Remembrance), the first part of the Public Villa was inaugurated, dedicated to the “Prince of Piedmont.” Subsequently, public subscriptions were opened to continue the work of arranging the public garden, and different parts were gradually realized thanks to the contributions of many Vasto emigrants abroad. A botanical garden, a grove of pine trees, and a small pond were created, in which, on May 24, 1929, the fountain made by sculptor Vittorio Sanvitale was inaugurated, later removed.
The development of the Villa was made possible mainly thanks to the dedication of Francesco Pomponio, known as Don Ciccio, who worked for years for free on the planting of plants and the maintenance of the place. In 1932, the municipal administration rewarded his work by appointing him “Director” of the Villa Comunale. Don Ciccio continued his landscaping work, creating an artificial grotto with an attached aviary and a small enclosure where, for several years, a monkey was also housed.
In addition to the modest zoo, which later disappeared, the Villa Comunale of Vasto after the war became the preferred place for children and the elderly. Various games were built for children, first in wood and iron, later replaced with more modern materials. For the elderly, the numerous tables installed throughout the large garden became an ideal place for endless card games. In addition to these populations, especially in the evening hours, thanks to the many benches scattered in the greenery, the villa has always been the favorite place for lovers to enjoy some privacy… in the moonlight. Today, Villa Comunale remains the same as before but… has changed gender. Since 2001, it has been renamed after the Princess of Piedmont. In 2007, the large fountain with water features was created in the square just after the entrance, the second main entrance, at the top of Corso Italia. At the same entrance, a megalith made of quartz from the gold mines of Kalgoorlie in West Australia was placed in memory of the Vasto emigrants and their work in the new world. At the intersection with Viale delle Rimembranze, a marble pillar was installed in memory of those who fell for the homeland.
