Nestled just off the beaten path, this small and quiet square is a hidden gem in the rich tapestry of Vasto’s history. Piazza Caprioli owes its name to the renowned jurist Virgilio Caprioli, born in 1548 in the family home at the corner of Via Barbarotta. Caprioli’s legacy endures, not only for his historical studies but for establishing Vasto’s first printing press here in 1598. He also championed the claim that Riccio de Parma—one of the legendary duelists from the Challenge of Barletta—hailed from Vasto, a fact later commemorated during the Fascist era when a major thoroughfare was named after him.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the square became the hub of civic life, hosting City Council meetings in a building at the corner of Via Bebbia (now Palazzo Smargiassi). The bustling square also served as the site of Vasto’s meat and fish market. Towering above it all was the civic clock, perched atop the City Council’s turret, marking the time for all Vasto’s citizens.
However, as the Napoleonic era drew to a close, Piazza Caprioli gradually lost its prominence.
The City Council relocated to nearby Palazzo del Carmine (now the seat of the diocesan curia), and the clock was transferred to the bell tower of the Church of San Giuseppe after the tower was dismantled in 1815 due to safety concerns.
In the 19th century, the square’s role diminished further, retaining only its function as a fish market until that, too, was moved to what is now Piazza Barbacani. With its commercial purpose gone, the square was reimagined: a garden featuring palm trees and other greenery was created at its center. This transformation gave rise to the affectionate nickname still used by locals today—the “Giardinetto,” or little garden.
The 20th century saw the square intersect with the life of one of Vasto’s most illustrious cultural figures, Romualdo Pantini. Born in the family home at the start of Via Barbarotta, Pantini was a celebrated journalist, playwright, and art critic. His career took him to Rome, Florence, Milan, and Paris, where he contributed to prominent publications such as La Critica Letteraria, L’Illustrazione Italiana, La Nuova Antologia, Il Corriere della Sera, and more.
It was thanks to Pantini’s initiative that a bronze bust of the renowned Vasto painter Filippo Palizzi was placed in the “Giardinetto”. Sadly, both the garden and the bust were removed during World War II, though the latter now resides in the Town Hall. For years, the square was used as a parking lot until a significant redesign in 1996 restored its dignity. The focal point of this redesign was the relocation of the World War I memorial, originally installed in 1922 thanks to Pantini’s efforts. Previously situated in front of Palazzo d’Avalos, the monument now takes pride of place at the heart of the square.
Crafted from Carrara marble by sculptor Enrico Remedi, the monument depicts San Michele the Archangel, the patron saint of Vasto. Poised with his right foot on a globe, the archangel honors the fallen with a bronze laurel wreath in one hand and a downward-pointing sword in the other, symbolizing the end of war. The pedestal beneath the statue bears the names of Vasto’s fallen heroes from both world wars.
While it may no longer be the city’s bustling epicenter, Piazza Caprioli remains one of Vasto’s most evocative locations. Framed by elegant 18th-century buildings—most notably the striking Palazzo Meninni, adjacent to Palazzo Smargiassi—the “Giardinetto” has found a new lease on life. Today, it’s a vibrant evening destination, with its charming bars and restaurants replacing the old market stalls and shops, offering a perfect blend of history and modern-day allure.
