Discover Chieti: Museums, Antiquity and Old Town

Chieti is a rewarding destination for anyone who would like to combine historic settings, art and archaeology during their holiday. The city offers different ways to do so: a tour through the small Old Town, Roman traces, important collections and museums focusing on natural history, religious history and art history. This allows you to plan varied days and choose a holiday apartment in Chieti to suit your personal cultural itinerary.

Ancient history and special museums

A prominent point of interest is the Teatro Marrucino. It was built from 1813 to December 1817 based on a design by Eugenio Michitelli, who came from Teramo. Those interested in the city's earlier history will find collections at the Museo archeologico “La Civitella” featuring finds from the Palaeolithic to the Early Middle Ages. They illustrate the origins and development of ancient Teate and its territory.

The Museo archeologico “La Civitella” complex includes gardens, pedestrian areas, an auditorium, an archaeological laboratory, spaces for recreational and educational activities, and an area for temporary exhibitions. These different areas offer families and other travellers various opportunities to engage with the subject of archaeology. The ensemble also includes the Anfiteatro romano della Civitella from the 1st century AD, which was intended for gladiatorial contests. When it was discovered, architectural terracottas, fragments of statues and bronze jewellery, as well as mosaics belonging to temples from the 2nd century BC, came to light.

At the Museo archeologico nazionale d'Abruzzo - Villa Frigerj, the Guerriero di Capestrano, a masterpiece from the 6th century BC, is displayed in its own room. 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.

Old Town, church art and scientific collections

Chieti's Old Town is small and easy to explore on foot. Its old streets lead past monuments, grand buildings, churches, squares and historic shops. Another cultural highlight is the crypt of the Cattedrale di San Giustino. It preserves the saint's relics and is decorated with valuable frescoes and paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries.

There are also points of interest for specific areas of interest. The Museo Universitario di Chieti is a scientific museum and holds a total of 19,590 objects from natural history, palaeontological and anthropological collections, as well as scientific instruments. The Museo Diocesano Teatino preserves the historical and artistic heritage from the Palazzo Comunale, the Cattedrale di San Giustino and other churches in the diocese. Its museum tour presents works of art and liturgical furnishings from the 13th to the 16th century.

Chieti as a starting point for planning your trip

When arriving by car, the route from the A14 Bologna–Bari leads via the Pescara Ovest–Chieti exit. You then reach Chieti Centro via the SS5 Tiburtina Valeria or the expressway. When choosing a holiday apartment, the main deciding factor is therefore the focus you wish to set: if you would like to combine several museums and historical topics, a culture-oriented stay is the priority; those who prefer walks through old streets can include the Old Town as an important part of their daily itinerary.

If you would like to compare other destinations besides Chieti, you can find the corresponding pages here: Atessa, Taranta Peligna, Treglio, Miglianico, Casoli, Sambuceto, Bucchianico and Pennapiedimonte.

For the higher-level travel overview: Chieti.