The stairway of love is located in Vieste, in Puglia. It is so called because it is an unmissable route for couples in love who visit the city. In fact, a symbolic meaning has been attributed to the staircase: it is said that by walking up it together with your loved one you will remain together forever. Painted on the occasion of the 1st Vieste in Love project, with the involvement of some school groups, the staircase connects the upper gate of the old city with Corso Fazzini.
The lyrics of the song are shown on it Max Gazzè “The legend of Pizzomunno and Cristalda”, presented at the Sanremo Festival 2018. A legend that talks about love, and it couldn't be otherwise. Vieste in Love is an initiative of the Municipality of Vieste which wants to transform the land of Pizzomunno and Cristalda into the city of eternal love.
A story that comes back to life every hundred years
The staircase reports the words of the song performed by Max Gazzè and tells "The legend of Pizzomunno and Cristalda", born long ago in Vieste. Pizzomunno was a young and charming fisherman in love with the beautiful and blonde Cristalda. Their story was born right on the beaches of the Apulian town. Every day, the boy took his boat and went fishing. His beauty aroused the admiration of the sirens who, in love with him, offered him immortality if he became their lover. But he, in love and faithful to Cristalda, refused and paid a high price for the insult to the mermaids.
These, humiliated and enraged, take revenge in the worst way. While the two lovers were embracing on the seashore in the moonlight, the mermaids re-emerged from the depths and took Cristalda away. Pizzomunno, desperate, tried to save her but failed. Destroyed by pain, he remained petrified, transforming into an enormous monolith that still dominates the beach of Vieste today. The monolith, about 25 meters high, bears the name of the young Pizzomunno. Legend has it that the spell is broken every one hundred years, for just one night, on August 15, when the two lovers can finally meet and love each other once again.
Vieste, in the province of Foggia, is a very popular seaside resort. Located north of Puglia, it welcomes numerous visitors from all over the world every year. Also appreciated for its historic center and its white houses, it is a place absolutely worth visiting.
(Photo: The legend of Cristalda and Pizzomunno; Proloco Vieste; Turismol)
