Il Palazzo del Governo, born on the ruins of the Church of San Domenico, houses works by Basilio Cascella and Francesco Paolo Michetti.
The Church of San Domenico, built during the 1600s, originally dedicated to the Virgin and St. Anna, took its current name at the beginning of the 19th century, after the demolition of the old Dominican church. The stone façade, with simple and classical lines, stretches over two levels and is flanked by the 18th-century brick bell tower. The interior, with a single nave and side chapels, is rich in fine biblical-themed decorations, works of G. B. Gianni, a Lombard architect and stucco artist. In the first chapel on the right, one admires the stories of the prodigal son and the punishment of Adam and Eve, while on the vault are depicted the sacrifice of Isaac and the struggle of Jacob with the angel. On the walls of the second chapel, we find the annunciation and the birth of the Virgin. On the left side of the nave, only the first has been lavishly decorated and is dedicated to Saint Martin. Noteworthy is the altarpiece of Saint Joseph Calasanz, painted in 1790 by Giacinto Diana, and the canvas of the Holy Rosary, a work by Giacomo Farelli from 1679. The pulpit with burl inlays as well as the spectacular polychrome marble altar and the monumental 18th-century organ are also fine. On the white-plastered barrel vault of the nave, a large ellipse stands out, simulating a dome. From the presbytery one accesses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, currently undergoing renovation, which houses works mainly from the Cathedral and the Town Hall, a wooden Crucifix from the second half of the 15th century, the wooden bust of St. Anthony dating back to the 16th century, and fragments of frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Information on the Church of San Domenico al Corso
Corso Marriccino, 97
66100 Chieti (Chieti)
08714081
weekday: 9:00-10:30 holiday: 9:00-10:30-11:30
Source: MIBACT
