Chieti: Old Town, Museums and Roman Heritage

Chieti is an interesting destination for anyone who wants to get to know an Italian city through history, art and short distances. In the small old town, historic streets, monuments, grand buildings, churches, squares and historic shops can be conveniently explored on foot. There are also museums and archaeological sites that connect different eras – from the beginnings of ancient Teate to the art and ecclesiastical history of Abruzzo. ## Old Town Between Churches and Historic Squares One prominent testament to the city’s history is the Teatro Marrucino. It was built from 1813 to December 1817 according to a design by Eugenio Michitelli, who came from Teramo. In the Cattedrale di San Giustino, the crypt preserves the relics of the saint. Precious frescoes and paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries complement this sacred site and make it an important part of a tour through Chieti. The Roman past is also present in the cityscape and collections. The Anfiteatro romano della Civitella dates from the 1st century AD and was intended for gladiatorial contests. When it was discovered, architectural terracottas, fragments of statues and bronze ornaments, as well as mosaics belonging to temples from the 2nd century BC, were found. This makes it possible to understand both the function of the amphitheatre and the older history of the site in one place. ## Museums of Archaeology and Art The Museo archeologico “La Civitella” complex includes gardens, pedestrian areas, an auditorium, an archaeological laboratory, rooms for recreational and educational activities, and an area for temporary exhibitions. The collections encompass finds from the Palaeolithic to the Early Middle Ages and illustrate the origins and development of ancient Teate and its territory. The Museo archeologico nazionale d'Abruzzo - Villa Frigerj displays the Guerriero di Capestrano, a masterpiece from the 6th century BC, in a dedicated hall. The Museo D’Arte Costantino Barbella focuses on a different area. Its collection is divided into five sections: paintings from the 15th to the 19th century, sculptures by Barbella, drawings on paper, paintings from the Premio Michetti and majolica from Castelli. ## Getting There and Choosing Accommodation When travelling by car, the route from the A14 Bologna–Bari leads via the Pescara Ovest–Chieti exit. You can then reach Chieti Centro via the SS5 Tiburtina Valeria or the expressway. When choosing your accommodation, you can use your planned daily itinerary as a guide: if you mainly want to combine the old town, churches and museums, base your choice on your routes through the historic centre. For excursions by car, the access route described above provides a useful reference point. If you would like to extend your research to other places, you can find Fresagrandinaria (Fresagrandinaria), Casacanditella (Casacanditella), Schiavi di Abruzzo (Schiavi di Abruzzo), Sant'Eusanio del Sangro (Sant'Eusanio del Sangro), Olmi (Olmi), Marina di San Vito (Marina di San Vito), Piane d'Archi-Quadroni (Piane d'Archi-Quadroni) and Sambuceto (Sambuceto).

For the main travel overview: Chieti.