Chieti
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Updated April 2019
Chieti is one of the oldest cities in Italy. According to legend, it was founded in 1181 BC by Achilles. It was inhabited by the Marrucini (Italic tribe) and called Teate. It became integrated within the Roman Republic after the Social Wars in 87BC and was an important centre.
During the Risorgimento (Italian reunification movement in the 19th century), King Vittorio Emmanuele II stopped in Chieti on 22 October 1861 on his way to his famous meeting with Guiseppe Garibaldi at Teano.
Chieti was the site of a court case in the murder of Giacomo Matteoti (Italian politician murdered by fascists in 1928). At the time Chieti was thought to be neutral territory.
Thanks to the efforts of Archbishop Giuseppe Venturi, Chieti was declared an Open City during WWII. This meant that it was not to be bombed by German forces or the Allies. Along with Rome and Florence, it was only one of a few cities declared an Open City in Italy. As a result of this, many people sought refuge in Chieti from the surrounding areas. Between 1943-1945 – the population swelled from 3,000 to 30,000.
THINGS TO SEE
Museums
Museo Archeologico Nazionale d’Abruzzo (National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo) – Housed in the stunning 1830 Villa Frigerj and set within parklands this has one of the best collections of archaeological relics in Abruzzo. At the back of the museum you can look out to beautiful views of the countryside.
Highlights include the Warrior of Capestrano, a coin collection from 6BC to the 19th century and in depth exhibits about the Italic tribes that existed in Abruzzo before being integrated under the Roman Republic.
Warrior of Capestrano – Famous symbol of Abruzzo. It was discovered in 1934, in the town of Capestrano by a labourer ploughing his fields. It is a unique example of an Italic statue (not classical Greek or Roman). Next to the Warrior was found the Lady of Capestrano. It is unusual to find a statue of a woman from this period that is not a deity.
Other quality museums to see are the University Museum of Chieti – its collection focuses on the sciences (including anthropology, zoology, biology)
Museo archeologico nazionale “La Civitella” – This museum incorporates the remains of three temples and part of an amphitheater (1st century AD), excavated in the late 1900s.
Historic Centre – highlights
Remnants of Roman Temple – Erected in 3 AD to worship the gods of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.
Corso Marrucino – The main thoroughfare and lovely to wander down
Cattedrale San Giustino. 9th century (rebuilt in 13th)
Villa Comunale – Beautiful urban park next to National Museum.
FILM TO WATCH
Luciano Odonsio – born in Chieti director and screenwriter including the films Sciopen and Via Paradiso, both shot in Chieti
MORE INFO
Tip – if you are coming by public transport – stop at Chieti station (this area is also known as Chieti Scalo) and take a bus up to Chieti old town – it takes about 15 minutes and tickets can be bought at the bar at the train station