Area archeologica del Guerriero di Capestrano

The countryside of Capestrano is associated with the discovery of the Warrior of Capestrano in 1934. The statue’s findspot and the surrounding ancient burial landscape connect the town with the pre-Roman history of Abruzzo.

Why it matters

The discovery drew attention to a necropolis whose tombs and grave goods illuminate the communities of the central Apennines. The original Warrior is preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo in Chieti, rather than at the findspot.

What to notice

The statue’s broad disc-shaped headgear, bent arms and inscription make it a distinctive example of Italic sculpture. A replica in Capestrano keeps its image connected with the town, while the archaeological landscape provides its wider context.

Context and history

The Warrior emerged during work in a vineyard. Excavations following the discovery revealed burials extending across several centuries of the first millennium BC. The relationship between the monument, its inscription and the people of the surrounding territory remains an important part of its interpretation.