CHEERS TO ABRUZZO

Situated between the rivers Pescara and Alento, close to the region’s majestic mountains and just fifteen kilometres from the Adriatic coast, Chieti is a charming hilltop town with a rich and riveting past. No one knows exactly when it was first established. If you trust the legend, the town was founded in 1181 BC by Achilles and named Teate as a tribute to the mythological hero’s mother, Teti. While you wander through Chieti’s streets, you will certainly come across the coat of arms featuring Achilles on a prancing horse, evidence of an enduring fascination with the town’s origins and the local affinity for tradition. Whatever the true story, we know Chieti certainly pre-dates the Romans and was once the capital of the powerful Marrucini, an Italic tribe that settled in the Chieti area during the 1st millennium BC.

Your private chauffeur will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to Chieti. Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point ready to lead you on a trail through the town’s centro storico, past ancient Roman ruins, inside elaborately decorated churches, across splendid piazze, while unravelling its thousand-year history. Your tour begins in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the very heart of Chieti, home to the Cathedral of San Giustino. Consecrated in 1069, the church we can admire today is the result of successive reworkings and renovations carried out up until the 20th century. Among the precious works of art to be found inside are a 16th century marble baptismal font, canvas paintings by 18th century masters Saverio Persico and Ludovico de Majo and Ferdinando Mosca’s finely carved wooden choir. Don’t miss the underground crypt housing the relics of the patron Saint Giustino and frescoes from the 1400s.

From here a leisurely stroll will allow you to discover many of Chieti’s picture-postcard landmarks: the 19th century Marrucino Theatre, whose saison d’or starred artists such as Eleonora Duse and Irma Gramatica, the main promenade of Corso Marrucino, flanked by elegant palazzi and Baroque-style churches, and the striking remains of three ancient Roman temples dating to the 3rd century BC.

No tour of Chieti would be complete without visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo located inside the Neoclassical-style Villa Frigerj. Here guests will come face to face with the world-known Warrior of Capestrano, a 6th century BC pre-Roman sculpture portraying a male figure in military attire with arms folded across his chest. This 2-metre tall limestone statue, accidentally unearthed by a farmer in 1934 while he was ploughing his field, probably depicts an ancient tribe leader and served a funerary purpose. Although the statue – and the civilisation that produced it – is still shrouded in mystery, your guide will explain why the Warrior of Capestrano is among the most significant discoveries ever accomplished in Abruzzo and how it has helped shed light on the Italic population that ruled over the region for centuries before being conquered by the Romans. Noteworthy pieces also include a 1st century BC Roman statue of Hercules, a collection of coins dating from the 4th century BC to the 1800s, ancient jewellery and grave goods.

After some free time for lunch, rejoin your driver and head for a nearby winery, well-known as one of the region’s leading estates. The winery was established in the 1990s by a visionary producer whose family had been involved in wine making since the early 20th century and who firmly believed his native Abruzzo could create extraordinary wines. Today this successful estate is run by the founder’s son who has maintained his father’s original values, principles and passion. Producing high quality wines, promoting this territory’s traditions and flavours and investing in modern wine making techniques are at the core of the estate’s activities. Here local Montepulciano and Trebbiano grape varieties are expertly turned into red and white wines that are making a name among wine enthusiasts worldwide. A tasting will allow you to savour the results of some one hundred years of constant commitment… cheers to Abruzzo!

In the afternoon your chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation.