It is a town in the province of Chieti, situated at the foot of the Majella and is home of the Majella National Park. It was described by Gabriele D'Annunzio as "terrace of Abruzzo", for the picturesque panorama that sweeps down to the waters of the Adriatic. Guardiagrele has roots since the Roman times with the settlement called "Aelion. However, the ancient site was gradually abandoned and was rebuilt in a more sheltered area nearby. From the mid-XII century, the new urban centre was fortified.
Guardiagrele is the departure point for pleasant excursions in the Majella National Park, in the district of Pian delle Mele, Valle delle Monache, Cascata San Giovanni and Bocca di Valle, where in a cave decorated with majolica of Basilio and Tommaso Cascella, are housed the remains of Andrea Bafile, a hero of the First World War. Of particular interest is the visit to the typical craft shops of copper, wrought iron, ceramics and jewelery.
Among the sites of interest, not to miss:
- the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, entirely built in stone from the Majella, the façade is almost entirely occupied by a square Bell tower of the XIII century, at the base of which, opens a beautiful ogival portal of the early XV century. The interior, built on the remains of another church in the XV century, features a unique broad environment in Baroque style and proposes a beautiful XVIII century walnut carved pulpit, and the Cross of Nicola of Guardiagrele, a rich and valuable masterpiece and treasure by this outstanding artist in 1431.
- the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, built where once stood a pagan temple dedicated to Jupiter. It features a Bell squared stone quoins at the corners by the Majella.
- the Church of San Francesco, dating from the XIV century, features a crowned façade and a Romanesque-Gothic portal;
- the XVI century Church of San Rocco, with fine Baroque furniture.
- the cemeteries in area Comino;
- the watch towers (Torre San Pietro, Torre Orsini and Torre Adriana);
- the City Museum;
- the Archaeological Museum.