L'Aquila
The city is located in Abruzzo, on the slope of a hill to the left of Aterno river, in Gran Sasso National Park. Ancient Sabino-Vestine origins are reflected in the villages of Amiternum and Forcona. The city had considerable development in Middle Ages, under the control of Camponeschi family. The city is known for several famous personalities: Pietro da Morrone (Pope Celestino V) and Bernardino da Siena, buried respectively in Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio and Basilica of San Bernardino. Secular traditions concern "Celestial Forgiveness", sacred celebration desired by Celestine to forgive in a single annual indulgence all the pilgrims'sins, and St. Agnes Feast. In 1254, according to the legend, 99 castles of Conca aternina founded the city, an event celebrated by the Fountain of 99 Cannelle with its masks. L'Aquila boasts a very varied and original historical heritage, despite the damage suffered in the course of its history due to ruinous earthquakes in 1461, 1703 and 2009. Urban axis is divided into four districts or "Quarti", each of these represented by a "headquarter church". Among the most famous monuments stand out the already mentioned basilicas, Medieval fountains, City Walls with access doors, the eighteenth-century noble buildings on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Duomo and Spanish Fort. During Norman period we witness the phenomenon of the fortification, with Castle of San Pio delle Camere and Ocre Castle. On April 6, 2009 L'Aquila was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The city itself today has total collapses in many areas and very serious damage to most buildings of historical and cultural value. The main churches are severely damaged or almost completely collapsed.
