L'Aquila, capital of the Central Italian region of the Abruzzi and of the province of l'Aquila, lies beyond the Aterno valley, surrounded by the mighty limestone heights of the Abruzzi. It is the see of an archbishop.
History
L'Aquila was founded about 1240 by the Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick II as a protection against the rebellious tribes of the Abruzzi. Charles I of Anjou surrounded the town with walls which are partly preserved.
In the spring of 2009 an earthquake struck L'Aquila, which had a devasting effect on the community and damaged many buildings.
At the foot of the hill on the west side of L'Aquila, near the station and the Porta Rivera, is the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle (Fountain of the 99 Pipes; 1272), with sides of red and white marble, from which the water spouts through 99 different masks (male and female heads).
Southeast of Piazza del Palazzo is the porticoed street intersection known as the Quattro Cantoni, in the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, L'Aquila's principal street. From here Via San Bernardino leads to the church of San Bernardino (originally 1454), with a fine facade of 1527. It contains the tomb of Bernardino di Siena who died in l'Aquila in 1440.
In the center of L'Aquila is the spacious Piazza del Duomo, on the west side of which is the cathedral of San Massimo, (originally built in the 13th century; several times destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt). It contains (to the right of the entrance) a monumental effigy of Cardinal Agnifili (1480).
To the north of the cathedral is the little church of San Giuseppe, with the tomb of the Camponeschi family (1432) by Gualterius di Alemania (Walter of Germany).
Gran Sasso d'Italia is a popular ski destination in winter and hiking spot in summer. Sightseers can enjoy the scenery from the highway running through the area.
An interesting excursion can be made to Albe (7km/4mi north), with the remains of the strongly fortified town of Alba Fucens (massive walls, baths, an amphitheater and a basilica) and an 11th century Romanesque church built into a temple of Apollo. From Celano an excursion can be made to a wild gorge, the Gole di Celano by taking the Sulmona road south for 1.5km/1mi or to the Abruzzi National Park, then by a footpath on the left (15 minutes).
North of L'Aquila are the remains of the ancient city of Amiternum, which was first occupied by the Sabines and later by the Romans, with remains of a theater, an amphitheater and baths.
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Santa Maria di Collemaggio
L'Aquila
