Forgotten churches, archaeological areas, castles and abbeys scattered throughout the peninsula are preparing to welcome visitors for a journey into Italy’s lesser-known beauties. There are 800 sites selected in 19 regions and 87 cities for the 2025 edition of Monumenti Aperti, the event born in 1997 and now in its 29th edition, promoted by Cagliari-based OdV Imago Mundi and aiming to reveal art, history and hidden communities of our country.
In Abruzzo, the selected city is Chieti, which over the weekend of May 17-18 is preparing to welcome tourists by opening the doors of its historic palaces and theaters for free: Marrucino Theater, the C. Art Museum. Barbella, the two National Archaeological Museums Villa Frigerj and La Civitella, andG. D’Annunzio University with its campus. Chieti’s history is rooted in antiquity, the city was in fact the main urban center of the Italic Marrucini people. For the occasion, it will be possible to visit some of the cultural strongholds of the Theatine territory, starting with the Roman Theater, located in the heart of the historic center and dating back to the first century A.D., one of the most significant testimonies of the Roman presence in Abruzzo. Of the ancient facility, part of the cavea, corridors and some wall structures remain visible, still telling the story of the importance of Teate Marrucinorum, the name of ancient Roman Chieti.
Another jewel that you will be able to visit is Palace of the Venetians, known as Teatro Vecchio, dating back to the 17th century. Guiding the audience on this fascinating journey through the secrets of the performing arts venues will be the students of the second classes of Chieti’s secondary schools; they will welcome the audience to engage them through performances, interviews and the telling of little-known anecdotes.
The title of this edition of Monumenti Aperti is “Where Everything is Possible,” a clear invitation to be surprised, to look at our cultural heritage with new eyes, to make connections between the past and the future, because every artistic testimony bears within itself the traces of those who created it, those who lived it over the centuries and those who passionately guard it today.
