Discover Chieti: Roman Sites and Museums

Chieti sits on a hill 330 meters high and offers views of the sea and the surrounding mountains. In the compact historic center, old streets pass monuments, churches, squares and historic shops; this part of the city is also easy to explore on foot. Between the cityscape, gardens and archaeological sites, you can get to know Chieti from different perspectives.

Gardens and City Life

Villa Comunale stretches across several terraces: Italian gardens, a small wood, illuminated ponds, paths and stone bridges define the grounds. A small peninsula surrounded by water is set aside for performances. The villa is also home to the Monumento ai Caduti della Guerra 1915–18, created by Pietro Canonica. The park thus combines landscaped green spaces with a specific historic monument and a venue for performances.

Another green spot is the Giardino dei Semplici. Admission is free during university opening hours; check the hours before your visit. This makes it easy to include the garden in your day’s plans without confusing it with the city’s museums or archaeological sites.

Roman Chieti and Archaeological Traces

The Roman Amphitheater della Civitella dates from the 1st century AD and was used for gladiatorial contests. Its elliptical shape has been preserved, as have parts of the arena wall and the honorary gallery. The visible remains offer a different perspective from the museums: here, the focus is on the form and function of an ancient structure, while the collections highlight finds and longer-term developments.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale La Civitella stands at 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. The museum has three routes, titled “L’inizio della storia urbana,” “Da Roma a ieri” and “La terra dei Marrucini.” The Tempietti Romani offer another point of interest: they are considered Chieti’s oldest place of worship and consist 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.

Part of the city’s history also lies beneath today’s historic center: Chieti Sotterranea refers to the underground city, with a partly preserved system of cisterns and tunnels. Some of its underground spaces were used as air-raid shelters during World War II. For a visit focused on archaeology, these different themes sit side by side: architectural forms, places of worship and underground structures.

Museums of Antiquity, Art and Science

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale d’Abruzzo documents the culture of ancient Abruzzo from prehistoric times to the late Imperial period. It also has a numismatic collection of coins dating from the 4th to the 19th century. A specialized library of about 13,000 volumes complements the museum. The coin collection’s long timespan extends well beyond antiquity.

At the Museo D’Arte Costantino Barbella, you can encounter art across several areas of the 17th-century Palazzo Martinetti. The collection includes paintings, sculptures by Barbella, works on paper, paintings from the Premio Michetti and ceramics from Castelli. The holdings also include 15th-century panels, Neapolitan paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, and works by the Abruzzese artists Cascella and Michetti. This offers a different way to explore Chieti’s culture than the archaeological collections.

The Museo Universitario d’Annunzio focuses on natural sciences and the history of science, as well as biological, medical, archaeological, anthropological and paleontological topics. It covers more than 1,500 square meters across three floors and is divided into twelve sections. Those interested in ecclesiastical art can visit the Museo Diocesano Teatino, which houses works of art and liturgical furnishings dating from the 13th to the 16th century. The collections preserve historical and artistic materials from the Palazzo Comunale, the Cattedrale di San Giustino and other churches in the diocese.

Architectural History and Planning Your Visit

The Cattedrale di San Giustino has three aisles 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 its crypt. The crypt has a simple medieval design. The Teatro Marrucino tells another chapter of the city’s history: it was built from 1813 to December 1817 on the perimeter walls of the former deconsecrated church of S. Stefano e S. Ignazio.

When arriving from the north, take the A14 Bologna–Bari to the Pescara Ovest–Chieti exit, then follow the SS 656 toward Chieti Centro. You can travel by train on the Pescara–Rome line; several regional rail lines connect Chieti with, among other places, Teramo and Sulmona. Check road and train connections before your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Castiglione Messer Marino, Atessa, Rocca San Giovanni, Gamberale, Carunchio, Borrello, 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, Torino Di Sangro, 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, Vacri, Casoli, Villamagna, Casalbordino, Olmi, Archi, Lentella, Montazzoli, Sant’Eusanio del Sangro, Sambuceto, Fallo, Guilmi, Mezzano, Palombaro, San Giovanni Teatino, Marina Di Vasto, San Salvo, Fossacesia, Bomba, San Martino Sulla Marrucina, Chieti, Lanciano, Casacanditella, Paglieta, Canosa Sannita, Ortona, Roccascalegna, Taranta Peligna, Tollo, Vasto, Roccamontepiano, Scerni, San Vito Chietino, Francavilla Al Mare, Gessopalena

To the main travel overview: Abruzzo.