City of Chieti

Elevation: 330m
Population: 55.300
Patron Saint: St. Giustino
Feast and Festival: 11th May

It is situated in good geographical position: a few kilometers away from the Adriatic Sea, and with the Majella and Gran Sasso mountains in the background. Located in the valley of Aterno-Pescara and near the river Alento, it is connected to the most important transport network in southern Italy.

Chieti is one of the most ancient of Italian cities, it was placed under Roman municipal jurisdiction since I century, in fact it has a Roman orthogonal plan. At the beginning of IX century it became the Episcopal see. The Aragonese, under the Spanish domain, chose the city as county seat of Abruzzi Citra and Ultra. In 1526 it became Episcopal see and principal city of the region.

The postwar economic development created a significant sprawling cultural life, resulted in the creation of the University G. D'Annunzio in 1965.

Wonderfully evocative of catholic tradition is the procession of Holy Friday with valuable and precious statues.
 

Church of St. Justin of Chieti

The cathedral dates back to the 8th century and it is dedicated first to St.Thomas and then to St. Justin.
It was re-built several times and the current facade and the right side date back to the XX century. On the altar frontal is a picture of St. Justin receiving the Episcopal insignia by the people of Chieti and a picture of St. Thomas looking at him in a sceptical way. Close to the crypt there is the Baroque oratory of the Mount of the Dead Brotherhood with many valuable relics, sacred furniture and precious works of art, all parading during the procession of Holy Friday.
 

Church of St. Francesco della Scarpa

It was erected during the XIII century, it has a high staircase, re-built in the XVII century on the remains of an old church.
 

National Archeological Museum of Abruzzo

It is located inside the neoclassical palace of Frigerj barons. Here reside valuable remains of the Roman and Italic period, e.g. the Warrior of Capestrano, a limestone statue with its own grave goods.
 

Art Museum "Costantino Barbella"

It is locate dinside the palace Martinelli-Bianchi. It hosts precious works, such as the Virgin and the Child, the Crucifixion among Saints and frescos of the XIV century.
 

Museum "La Civitella"

It hosts important relics belonged to the areas of Chieti and Pescara.
The museum is composed of 3 sections: the first one is "L'inizio della storia urbana" (The beginning of the urban history), a collection of coins, bronze objects and terracotta remains; the second part includes Roman relics with epigraphs and marble statues; the third part is "Terra dei Marruccini" (Territory of the people of Chieti) with bronze and iron weapons and clay vases.