Chieti sits on a hill 330 metres high, offering views of the sea and the surrounding mountains. In the compact historic centre, old streets pass monuments, churches, squares and historic shops. Exploring the city on foot reveals layers from different eras, from Roman sites and places of worship to museums showcasing art, science and regional history.
Roman traces and the history of the Marrucini
The Amphitheatre della Civitella dates back to the 1st century AD and was used for gladiatorial contests. Its elliptical shape is still recognisable; parts of the arena wall and the box of honour remain. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale La Civitella stands on the summit of the acropolis of ancient Chieti. Its finds illustrate the city’s origins and development through objects from the area once inhabited by the Marrucini.
Three museum routes are entitled “L’inizio della storia urbana”, “Da Roma a ieri” and “La terra dei Marrucini”. These different points of reference bring together urban development, Roman history and the land of the Marrucini. Another ancient place of worship is the Tempietti Romani: considered Chieti’s oldest place of worship, it consists of three adjacent temples. They were probably built in an area already used for the worship of deities in the 5th to 4th centuries BC.
Beneath today’s historic centre lies Chieti Sotterranea, an underground city. A system of cisterns and tunnels is partly preserved there; some underground rooms served as air-raid shelters during the Second World War. The Terme Romane date back to the 2nd century AD and lie in the eastern part of the city. The archaeological heritage also includes a mosaic depicting Neptune’s trident, a dolphin and two hippocamps. Among Chieti’s important finds is the Guerriero di Capestrano: this life-size statue from the 6th century BC depicts a king of the Vestini in military attire.
Museums of art, history and science
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale d’Abruzzo documents the culture of ancient Abruzzo from prehistoric times to the late imperial period. Its numismatic collection includes coins dating from the 4th to the 19th century. The museum also has a specialist library with around 13,000 volumes. Here, long periods of history and very different kinds of historical evidence sit side by side.
The Museo D’Arte Costantino Barbella is housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Martinetti. Its five sections cover paintings, sculptures by Barbella, works on paper, paintings from the Premio Michetti and ceramics from Castelli. The works of art include 15th-century panels, Neapolitan paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, and works by the Abruzzese artists Cascella and Michetti. The Museo Diocesano Teatino preserves historical and artistic material from the Palazzo Comunale, the Cattedrale di San Giustino and other churches in the diocese. On display are works of art and liturgical furnishings dating from the 13th to the 16th century.
The Museo Universitario d’Annunzio offers a different perspective. This science museum explores the natural sciences and the history of science, as well as biological, medical, archaeological, anthropological and palaeontological subjects. It covers more than 1,500 square metres across three floors and is divided into twelve sections.
Churches, theatres and gardens
The Cattedrale di San Giustino has three naves, separated by columns, ending in three apses. The central nave is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes. The saint’s relics are kept in the crypt, whose design is simple and medieval. The Teatro Marrucino tells a more recent chapter in the city’s history: it was built between 1813 and December 1817 on the perimeter walls of the former deconsecrated church of S. Stefano e S. Ignazio.
The Villa Comunale offers landscaped walks across several terraced levels, with Italian gardens, a small wood, illuminated ponds, paths and stone bridges. The grounds also include a small peninsula surrounded by water for smaller performances. Here stands the Monumento ai Caduti della Guerra 1915–18, created by Pietro Canonica. The Giardino dei Semplici is freely accessible during university opening hours; check the hours before your visit.
Getting there and getting around
The compact historic centre is easy to explore on foot. Chieti is accessible by train on the Pescara–Rome line; several regional rail services connect the city with destinations including Teramo and Sulmona. Check current services before setting off. Travellers arriving from the north can take the A14 Bologna–Bari motorway to the Pescara Ovest–Chieti exit, then continue towards Chieti Centro on the SS 656. Check this road connection before your trip as well.
Discover more destinations: Torino Di Sangro, Canosa Sannita, Ortona, Roccascalegna, Taranta Peligna, Tollo, Vasto, Roccamontepiano, Scerni, San Vito Chietino, Francavilla Al Mare, Carunchio, Borrello, Atessa, Rocca San Giovanni, Gamberale, San Martino Sulla Marrucina, Chieti, Vacri, Casoli, Villamagna, Casalbordino, Olmi, Archi, Gessopalena, Fossacesia, San Giovanni Teatino, Marina Di Vasto, San Salvo, Bomba, Lanciano, Casacanditella, Paglieta, Lama Dei Peligni, Ripa Teatina, Crecchio, Cupello, San Lorenzo, Arielli, Torrevecchia Teatina, Miglianico, Pretoro, Orsogna, Pennapiedimonte, Casalincontrada, Mozzagrogna, Lido Di Casalbordino, Perano, Guardiagrele, Pizzoferrato, Brecciarola, Villa Caldari, Colledimezzo, Castel Frentano, Bucchianico, Altino, Filetto, Dogliola, Rosello, Cerreto, Villa Santa Maria, Torricella Peligna, Fara San Martino, Marina di San Vito, Fresagrandinaria, Treglio, Schiavi di Abruzzo, Pollutri, Piane d'Archi-Quadroni, Tornareccio, Monteodorisio, Villalfonsina, Castiglione Messer Marino, Montazzoli, Sant'Eusanio del Sangro, Sambuceto, Lentella, Fallo, Guilmi, Mezzano, Palombaro
To the regional travel overview: Abruzzo.
