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Main attractions
What to see in Chieti
Roman temples, a thousand-year-old cathedral and two major archaeological museums.
San Giustino Cathedral
The cathedral, dedicated to the patron saint, was rebuilt under the Normans and consecrated in 1069. Bartolomeo di Giacomo began the bell tower in 1335 and Antonio da Lodi completed it in 1498; the Gothic crypt holds the relics of San Giustino and 14th–15th-century frescoes.
Roman temples
In the heart of town, near Corso Marrucino, the remains of a group of Roman temples brought to light in 1935. The two twin temples were commissioned in the 1st century AD by Marcus Vettius Marcellus and Helvidia Priscilla.
Teatro Marrucino
Built between 1813 and 1817 as the Royal Theatre of San Ferdinando and opened in 1818 with Rossini’s La Cenerentola, it took its present name after Italian unification. It stands a few steps from the cathedral.
National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo – Villa Frigerj
In the neoclassical villa inside the public gardens you can see the Warrior of Capestrano, a 6th-century BC statue, in a room designed by Mimmo Paladino. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
La Civitella Museum and Roman amphitheatre
On the acropolis of ancient Teate, the museum tells the story of the city from its origins to Roman times and of the Marrucini territory. Next to it are the remains of the 1st-century AD amphitheatre, and the terrace looks out over the Majella.
Roman baths
The remains of the baths connected to a large underground cistern, part of the city’s ancient water system.
Church of San Francesco al Corso
Probably founded in 1239, it faces Corso Marrucino.
Villa Comunale
The city’s large park, opened to the public in 1868 by joining the gardens of the Frigerj and Nolli villas. It contains Pietro Canonica’s war memorial, unveiled in 1924.
Tip: the cathedral, Teatro Marrucino, the Roman temples and Corso Marrucino are close together and easy to see in a morning; then head to Villa Frigerj for the Warrior of Capestrano.
Exploring the city
Old town and districts
Corso Marrucino
The main street of Chieti Alta, with arcades, shops, cafés and historic palaces, linking the cathedral area with the public gardens.
Piazza San Giustino and Piazza Valignani
The religious and civic heart of the city, with the cathedral and Teatro Marrucino.
Chieti Alta and Chieti Scalo
The old town on the hill and the modern city in the valley, with the station, the university campus and shopping areas.
La Civitella
The acropolis of the ancient city, with the museum, the amphitheatre and one of the finest views of the Majella.
Surroundings
Majella and sea
In less than an hour you go from the Majella woods to the Adriatic beaches.
Chieti lies between the Majella and the coast, so it is easy to combine a day in the mountains with a day at the sea.
Passo Lanciano and Majelletta
About 35 km away: ski slopes in winter and trails in summer, with the park hiking guide.
Guardiagrele
About 28 km away, the “city of stone” at the foot of the Majella, famous for its crafts. See Guardiagrele.
Chieti coast
Francavilla al Mare, Ortona and the Trabocchi Coast with its cycle path: see the Abruzzo coast.
Pescara
About 15 km away, with the airport, seafront and museums. See Pescara.
Suggested routes
Itineraries in Chieti
From short walks to a full day.
Itinerary 1 — Chieti in 2 hours
- Corso Marrucino
- San Giustino Cathedral
- Teatro Marrucino
- Roman temples
Itinerary 2 — Archaeology
- Villa Frigerj Museum and the Warrior of Capestrano
- La Civitella Museum and amphitheatre
- Roman baths
Itinerary 3 — City and surroundings
- Morning in the old town
- Lunch with pallotte cacio e uova
- Afternoon in Guardiagrele or on the Trabocchi Coast
Suggestion: to see Roman underground Chieti, with its cisterns and tunnels, ask at the Palazzo de’ Mayo Museum on Corso Marrucino, where tours are booked.
Evenings
Evenings in Chieti
A university city, lively during the academic year.
The “G. d’Annunzio” University, with its main campus in Chieti Scalo, brings thousands of students to the city.
- Corso Marrucino and the town squares — aperitifs and evening strolls
- Teatro Marrucino — drama, opera and concert season
- Chieti Scalo — bars popular with students
Local tip: in summer many locals spend the evening on the coast, in Francavilla or Pescara, about 20 minutes away.
Calendar
Events in Chieti
Religious rites, music and street performances.
Good Friday procession
One of the oldest in Italy, led by the Confraternity of the Sacro Monte dei Morti. It is accompanied by the 18th-century Miserere by Saverio Selecchy, performed by about 150 musicians and 160 singers.
Maggio Teatino and San Giustino
The patron saint festivities take place in May: San Giustino is celebrated on 11 May.
Chietinstrada
Street-artist festival in the old town in mid-August.
Settimana Mozartiana
A week of concerts and shows in July.
Tip: on Good Friday the old town fills up: arrive early to find a spot along the route.
Local food
What to eat
Chieti cooking brings together mountain, hill and seaside dishes.
- Pallotte cacio e uova — cheese and egg balls cooked in tomato sauce
- Pasta alla chitarra — cut on a frame strung with steel wires
- Arrosticini — mutton skewers grilled over embers
- Pizzelle (ferratelle) — anise wafers baked in an iron
- Cicerchiata — fried dough balls with honey, a Carnival sweet
- Colline Teatine PDO olive oil and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo — produce of the hills around the city
Tip: pallotte cacio e uova are on many trattoria menus and make a good vegetarian choice.
Mobility
Getting around
The old town is on the hill and best explored on foot; buses and trolleybuses climb up from Chieti Scalo.
On foot
Ideal in Chieti Alta
Buses and trolleybus
La Panoramica, Chieti Scalo – centre
Bike
VAIMOO e-bike sharing
Car
Useful for the Majella and the coast
Origins and identity
History of Chieti
From the Marrucini to a university city.
Chieti was the main town of the Marrucini, an Italic people; the Romans called it Teate Marrucinorum. Legend says it was founded by Achilles and that the name Teate comes from his mother, the nymph Thetis: that is why the city’s coat of arms shows the hero armed with spear and shield.
After the Social War (91–88 BC) the Marrucini obtained Roman citizenship. The temples, baths and amphitheatre date from the imperial age.
Destroyed in 801 by Pepin, son of Charlemagne, the city recovered under the Normans: the new cathedral was consecrated in 1069. At the end of the 13th century Charles I of Anjou made it the capital of Abruzzo Citra.
In the Second World War Chieti was declared an open city and was liberated on 9 June 1944. Today it is home, together with Pescara, to the “G. d’Annunzio” University.
Did you know? the Theatine order takes its name from Teate, the Latin name of the city; it was founded in 1524 by, among others, Gian Pietro Carafa, bishop of Chieti and later Pope Paul IV.