Guardiagrele

Guardiagrele (Italian pronunciation: [ɡuardiaˈɡreːle]; Abruzzese: La 'Uàrdije; Latin: Guardia Graelis) is a town and comune in the province of Chieti, part of the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

Commenting on the views of the mountains and valleys of the Maiella visible from some points in the town, the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio nicknamed Guardiagrele la terrazza d'Abruzzo ("Abruzzo's terrace").

Under the colonnaded portico, next to the lateral door, is the large fresco depicting St Christopher (1473), painted by Andrea De Litio.

The interior, completely rebuilt in the 18th century following an earthquake, has Baroque stucco-work and a shrine of the same period set off a 15th-century fresco representing the Madonna of the Milk.

It is traditional to eat porchetta (oven or spit roasted suckling pig flavoured with pepper, rosemary, garlic and other seasonings) at this time.

West view of Santa Maria Maggiore
Portico to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Crafts next to Porta San Giovanni