Province of Chieti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Province of Chieti
Chieti
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Capital | Chieti |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,588 km2 (999 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 381,993 |
| • Density | 148/km2 (380/sq mi) |
| Postal Code |
66010-66012, 66014-66023, 66026, 66030-66034, 66036-66038, 66040-66043, 66045-66047, 66050-66052, 66054
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| Telephone prefix |
085, 0781, 0862, 0871, 0872, 0873
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| ISTAT | 069 |
| Vehicle registration | CH |
| No. of communes | 104 |
The Province of Chieti is a region in Italy. It is located in the Abruzzo area. The main city and capital of the province is Chieti. About 50,770 people live in the city of Chieti.
The whole province has a population of around 387,649 people, as of 2017. It covers an area of about 2,599.58 square kilometers (1,003.70 sq mi). The province is divided into 104 smaller towns called comuni. The current president of the province is Mario Pupillo.
Chieti has an old cathedral that was first built in the 800s. It was rebuilt in the 1200s. The province also has the National Antiquities Museum. This museum displays ancient items from the area before the Romans arrived.
Contents
History of Chieti Province
The area was first settled by the Osci people near the Pescara River. Around 1000 BCE, other groups like the Marsi and Marrucini took control. The ancient Greeks also lived here and called the city Teate.
The Romans conquered the city in 305 BCE. After the Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, Theodoric the Great became its owner. It was then used as a fortress by the Lombards. Over time, many different groups ruled Chieti. These included the Franks, Normans, Hohenstaufen, Angevins, and Aragonese. Finally, Charles V of France gained strong control.
Chieti became the capital of a region called Abruzzo Citra. This happened when the House of Bourbon ruled the area.
The province of Chieti also includes the town of Ortona. This town was founded by the Frentani people for trading with the Greeks. During World War II, Ortona was the site of a major battle. German forces fought against mostly British and Canadian soldiers. The town was heavily damaged, and over 2,000 civilians died. This battle was very intense.
Geography and Landscape
The Province of Chieti is one of four provinces in the Abruzzo region. It is located on Italy's eastern coast. This province is the easternmost part of the Abruzzo region. The Adriatic Sea borders it to the northeast.
To the north is the Province of Pescara. The Province of L'Aquila is to the northwest. To the south, you'll find the Province of Isernia. The Province of Campobasso is to the southeast. Both of these southern provinces are part of the Molise region.
The capital city, Chieti, sits on a ridge a few miles inland. It is just south of the Aterno-Pescara River. This river flows into the sea at the nearby city of Pescara.
In the past, many farmers lived and worked on the land here. However, many people have moved away from farming, especially from the hilly and mountainous areas. These areas had small farms worked by families. From 1951 to 1971, the number of people working in agriculture in Chieti dropped a lot. At the same time, more people started working in factories and in the service industry.
Main Places to See
Chieti City Sights
- The Cathedral: This church was rebuilt in 1069. Only parts of its old Romanesque crypt remain. The church was changed again in the 1300s, and its bell tower was made larger. After some earthquakes, it was rebuilt in the late 1600s and 1700s in the Baroque style.
- Church of San Francesco al Corso: This church was founded in 1239. Its front shows an unfinished Baroque style.
- Ancient Roman Remains: Under the Church of SS. Pietro e Paolo, you can find old Roman structures. These include parts of a building from the 1st century CE. There are also remains of large water reservoirs and an ancient theater. New archaeological digs are still happening today.
Lanciano Attractions
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Ponte: This cathedral is built on a bridge over a cliff. It has paintings by Pozzulaniello. It also holds an 8th-century Byzantine statue of the Madonna.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore: This is one of the most important buildings in Abruzzo. It was built in 1227. The main gate is from 1317.
- Chiesa di San Francesco: Built in 1258, this church stands on an older 7th-century church. It holds relics from the Miracle of Lanciano.
- Torri Montanare: These are two large towers that are part of the old city walls from the 11th century. They offer great views of the area.
- Porta San Biagio: This is the only city gate left from the nine that once existed. It dates back to the 11th century.
- Botteghe medievali: This is a house built in 1434. It has two floors, and the ground floor still has old shops.
Vasto Highlights
The old part of Vasto has many interesting buildings and churches. They date from the 1100s to the 1700s.
- Cathedral of San Giuseppe
- Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore: This is the largest and oldest church in Vasto. It has a tall bell tower. It was damaged by attacks and fire, then rebuilt in 1735. It is said to hold one of Jesus' crown of thorns.
- Castello Caldoresco
- D'Avalos Palace: This palace houses the Civic Museums.
Below the town's hill is Marina di Vasto. This beach resort has a large sandy beach and many hotels.
Further north, the coast becomes rocky. You can find pebble beaches and coves there. You can also see trabocchi. These are special wooden fishing machines typical of the southern Abruzzo coast.
The protected natural area of the Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci is also interesting. Its beaches were voted among the top beaches in Italy in 2014.
Ortona Points of Interest
The town of Ortona has a long history. It was likely first settled by the Frentani people. In 2005, an ancient Bronze Age settlement was found near the castle.
In 1258, the remains of Thomas the Apostle were brought to Ortona. In the 1400s, the town built its walls. Ortona also had a long conflict with the nearby town of Lanciano. In 1447, ships from Venice destroyed Ortona's port. Because of this, the King of Sicily ordered a castle to be built to protect the new port.
In 1582, Margaret of Parma, daughter of Emperor Charles V, gained control of the town. She started building a large mansion, but it was never finished.
After Italy became a kingdom in 1860, Ortona became a popular seaside resort. During World War II, the German army set up a strong defense line here. Ortona was important because it had a port for supplies. The battle for Ortona was very intense and was called "Little Stalingrad" by the international press.
Guardiagrele Sights
The largest church in Guardiagrele is Santa Maria Maggiore. It has a beautiful Gothic entrance from the 1300s. This entrance is considered one of the most elegant in Abruzzo's Gothic style. Inside, the church was rebuilt in the 1700s after an earthquake.
Other interesting places include:
- S. Nicola di Bari (founded in the 300s)
- The convent of the Chapuchins (1599)
- Palazzo De Lucia (1500s)
- Palazzo Elisii (1400s-1700s)
- Palazzo Marini (1391)
Guardiagrele also has several museums:
- Civic Museum
- Costume and Folk Museum
- Cathedral Museum (in Santa Maria Maggiore)
- Archaeological Museum
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Chieti para niños
