Archaeological Museum and the Warrior of Capestrano
The statue that symbolises Abruzzo in the museum of Villa Frigerj
In Chieti, an ancient city on a hill between the Majella and the Adriatic, inside the neoclassical Villa Frigerj, surrounded by the gardens of the Villa Comunale, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale d'Abruzzo preserves the most important archaeological collection of the region. Its symbol, and the symbol of Abruzzo itself, is the Guerriero di Capestrano, a limestone statue about two metres high, from the sixth century BC, found by chance in 1934 by a farmer ploughing his vineyard near Capestrano, in the province of L'Aquila. It depicts a warrior, perhaps a king or a prince of the Vestini, an Italic people, with a strange wide-brimmed hat, a mask on his face, arms folded over his chest and armed with a sword, an axe and a dagger, and bears an inscription in an ancient Italic language, the South Picene.
The statue, enigmatic and powerful, is displayed in a special room, designed by the artist Mimmo Paladino, where it stands alone in a semi-dark space that enhances its mysterious presence. The museum also preserves the large marble statue of Hercules from Alba Fucens, Roman portraits, Italic weapons and jewellery from the necropolises of the region, coins and a large collection of finds that tell the history of Abruzzo from prehistory to the Roman age. Chieti, the ancient Teate, also offers a beautiful historic centre, with the Corso Marrucino, the Teatro Marrucino, the Cathedral of San Giustino and the remains of three Roman temples and of a theatre.
Tip: spend some time in the Warrior's room, in silence; then stroll along Corso Marrucino, the heart of Chieti.
Where it is
More things to see in Abruzzo
Where to stay near Chieti
Tours and activities nearby
Offers from GetYourGuide. Some links are affiliate links: if you book we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.