Overview
The diamond of the Abruzzo plateau
L’Aquila captivates visitors with its rich historical and architectural heritage.
Strolling through the historic centre, you will find yourself in the heart of a plateau on which the city stands. After exploring the two main streets, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Umberto I, which intersect perpendicularly and meet at Quattro Cantoni, you can visit Piazza del Duomo, also known as Piazza del Mercato. Here you will find L’Aquila Cathedral, with its neoclassical façade adorned with three coats of arms, severely damaged by the 2009 earthquake, it is currently inaccessible.
Work on the reconstruction and restoration of the cathedral began on 27 February 2023. The square is also home to the Church of Saint Mary of Suffrage, with its over-35-metres-high neoclassical dome and late-Baroque façade. This church was also severely damaged by the 2009 earthquake and is undergoing restoration and consolidation work.
In the Rivera district, don’t miss the Fountain of the 99 Water Spouts. This number is considered the symbol of the city, which legend has it was created by the inhabitants of 99 castles. It is said that in L’Aquila there are 99 squares, 99 churches and 99 fountains.
If you happen to visit at the end of summer, don’t miss the world-renowned La Perdonanza Celestiniana, the most important historical-religious and social event in the area. The celebrations peak on 28th August, with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.
