Museo archeologico nazionale La Civitella

The National Archaeological Museum of La Civitella stands on the ancient acropolis of Chieti. Opened in 2000, it interprets the city's history through archaeological finds and the remains of a sanctuary whose three temples date to the mid-second century BC.

Why it matters

Excavations uncovered a sanctuary on the hill that had been levelled in the nineteenth century and later used as a parade ground and sports field. The museum's displays reconstruct the temples' painted terracotta decoration, including elements associated with the Capitoline Triad. The collections also include the funerary monument of C. Lusius Storax, with reliefs depicting gladiatorial combat.

What to notice

The reconstructed pediments and terracotta antefixes help explain the architecture of the temple complex. The museum's three thematic sections follow the early history of the Marrucini, the development of urban life and the Roman and later periods. Finds include Bronze Age material, ceramics from Catignano and votive bronzes, including the Dea di Rapino. The Lusius Storax monument is notable for its narrative reliefs and scenes of gladiatorial combat.

Context and history

Designed by Ettore De Lellis, the museum opened on 18 November 2000 as part of an archaeological project centred on the acropolis. It is now part of the state museum network under the Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Abruzzo. Its collections and reconstructed displays interpret the sanctuary, the amphitheatre and finds from ancient Teate.