Narrow alleys lined with opulent palaces and churches wind through the historic center at the summit of this former Roman outpost near the Adriatic Sea.
Ancient Roman architecture, medieval churches and leafy parks make up the hilly townscape of Chieti. Its rolling verdant terrain is bounded by the imposing figures of the Majella and Gran Sasso mountains. Split your trip between the vestiges of the hilltop Old Town quarter and the commercial district of Chieti Scalo.
Crumbling reminders of the Romans adorn parts of the historic center. Visit the Archaeological Museum la Civitella to see the preserved amphitheater. Study the exhibits showcasing artifacts and tools from the Roman rule. Standing out amid the ruins are the 2,000-year-old theater and the remaining pieces of the temples.
Learn more about the regional history in the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo, aka Villa Frigerj, held within the neoclassical town hall. Its highlight is the collection of numismatic coins dating from the 4th century to the 1800s.
Walk north for a few minutes, stopping in at the Museo d’Arte C. Barbella and the Palazzo Henrici, to reach the domineering San Giustino Cathedral. Its Gothic façade is notable for its carved stone portico and impressive bell tower. Marvel at the metal chandeliers, Renaissance paintings and gold-leafed chapels of the Baroque interior.
Continue north for other highlights such as the Palazzo Toppi, the Porta Pescara and the Palazzo Zambra. For a change of scenery, travel northwest to explore the shops and bars of the modern Chieti Scalo district. The area’s beacon of education is G. d’Annunzio University.
Appreciate the warm Mediterranean climate, with a trip to the gardens of Giardino Botanico Michele Tenore, about an hour’s drive south of Chieti. July and August are the hottest and driest months.
Head to the southwestern outskirts of Pescara on Italy’s eastern coast to reach this town. It is a 15-minute drive southwest from the Abruzzo International Airport. Arrive at the Chieti railway station and get around the town via the Chieti trolleybus system.
From the Romans to the Renaissance and beyond, Chieti’s historic attractions are frozen in time for your enjoyment.
