In the heart of Abruzzo

In the beating heart of Abruzzo rises Chieti. The pretty town is divided into two parts: Chieti alta and Chieti scalo. There are numerous monuments and archaeological sites on Chieti Alta. Recent findings have brought to light architectural terracotta, fragments of statues and ornaments in bronze and copper, which suggest that the hill has been inhabited for more than 3500 years. These findings are now exhibited in the new Civitella archaeological museum which stands in one of the most beautiful historic districts of the city. In the area of the acropolis it is still possible to admire traces of the Hellinistic temples. Recently the ruins of the amphitheater used from the 1st century BC have been found. C by the gladiators. The amphitheater has an elliptical shape, the latest excavations have also brought to light the wall that divides the area from the grandstand. Further evidence of the passage of the Romans from Teate are the temples of San Paolo, which represent the oldest place of worship in the city. The first two are composed of a cell with a pronaos and a crypt while the third is composed of a cell and a crypt only. Dating back to the 2nd century BC. There are the baths, access was allowed via stairs that led to an atrium where there is a floor depicting Neptune. In front of the atrium there were basins covered with marble. The rooms were structured in such a way as to withstand the pressure of the water and the ground by means of niches placed around the nine rooms. The underground Chieti, on the other hand, is extraordinary in which there are numerous cisterns connected by ventilation tunnels. The tunnels are of two types: the first were those with the task of transporting water, the second had the task of collecting it. It is possible to visit these places thanks to the 'SpeleoClub Chieti', which with free admission will make you relive the past. At Villa Frigeri it is possible to admire the historical finds found in the archaeological museum of Abruzzo where works such as the gigantic seated Hercules from the Alba Fucens temple are kept. There are numerous churches in the city. The church of Santa Maria del Tricalle is the oldest octagonal building in Chieti, it is a former temple dedicated to Diana which then in modern times was restored and entrusted to the nearby church of San Francesco. The church of Santa Chiara adorned with stucco and gilding is the most important ex monastery of the Poor Clares. What makes it special is its fresco depicting the assumption of Mary. The Cathedral of San Giustino is the main church of Chieti, despite the numerous restoration works it still retains the eighteenth-century baroque structure. The external aspect is neo-Gothic while the internal Baroque style and the crypt has a Gothic style. The interior with three naves with paintings attributed to De Mayo and Persico. The external facade is hardly visible due to the monumental bell tower with rose window and rays. From Chieti Alta we take a look at the Chieti airport which, unlike the old one, is populated by numerous students who attend the Gabriele D'Annunzio University. The Good Friday procession of Chieti is the largest in Italy, as well as the oldest. The procession is the continuation of the Good Friday mass and is considered the central part of the Holy Week. In this event the death of Jesus Christ is commemorated with a procession that crosses the city, the most devout citizens disguise themselves as hooded and carry black banners holding the wooden statue of the dead Christ in their arms and carrying the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows on their shoulders. . The archconfraternity of the 'Sacro monte dei morti', one of the pious institutions that has been organizing the event for years, has a fundamental role. Singular is the preparation for the procession which begins with the deposition of the dead Christ by the brotherhood, subsequently the various congregations carry out the rite of the dressing and walk towards the Cathedral to take place at the mass, at dusk the procession begins. The procession is opened by the great banner of the brotherhood depicting the noble crown and leads off through the oldest streets of the city.