L'AQUILA
Turistic Itineraries in L'Aquila and Abruzzo info: 347 4885315 donatoxxx@yahoo.it
The history of L'Aquila is a fascinating blend of traditions and legends featuring famous historic people: Federico II planned the building of the city, his son Corrado IV issued the edict of foundation in 1254, and Carlo d'Angiò had it rebuilt after Manfredi had destroyed it in 1259. According to legend, the inhabitants of the 99 confederated castles of the valley of L'Aquila contributed in a decisive way to the building of the city.
fig. 1 - 99 cannelle -1272-
fig. 1 - 99 cannelle -1272-

99 cannelle (fig.1), S. Vito (fig.2) This is one of the oldest and most characteristic monuments, almost a symbol of the city. It was build at the request of the Tuscan Governor, Lucchesino Aleta, by Tancredi da Pentina, who made it in 1272. Its originality is observed not only in its trapezoid shape and in the stone masques, each one different from the other, but also in the fact that the source of water supplyng the fountain is unknown. According to tradition, the masques represent the lords of he castles who contributed to the founding of the city. The gracious wall which sorrounds it, built in rose and white stone quarried at Genzano di Sassa, like that of S.Maria di Collemaggio, is certainly of a later date, being of the 15th century.In front of the 99 cannelle there is San Vito the church.
fig. 2 San Vito XIV
S. Maria di Collemaggio (fig.1), An important example of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, it is renowned for its magnificent facade in local pink and white marble into which is set a superbly execute rose-window. It was build towards the end of the 13th century at the request of the hermit Peter of Morrone, who wished to be coronated Pope there in August, 1294, taking the name of Celestine V. His remains are kept in the mausoleum to the right of the main altar, a Renaissance work of Girolamo of Vicenza. The interior of the church was restored to its original splendour in 1972. On the walls of the side aisles, niches were discovered containing valuable 15th and 16th century frescoes. The canvases representing epidode from the life of St. Celestine, date back to the 17th century and were the work of a monk, Carlo Ruther of Danzica. The cloister next to the Basilica is worth visiting and the antique refectory has now been transformed into the modern Celestian Hall.
fig. 2 S. Maria di Collemaggio -1290-
S. Silvestro (fig.1) A church of Romanesque-Gothic style, it was built in the first half of the 14th century. A series of 15th century frescoes in the apse, executed by an unknown artist, which represents scene from the life of christ, a Pietà, Saints and Prophets makes it most interesting. The facade, with a beautiful Romanesque door-way and its characteristic rose-window, dominates a quiet piazza where the Branconio Palace also stands. The restoration of the interior, carried out in the late 1960' s revealed the original antique building with ogival arches. The Branconio Chapel to the left of the main altar, should be visited. Here, the famous painting "The Visitation" by Raffaello Sanzio, donated by the artist to his Aquilan friend, Giambattista Branconio, was originally placed. The work has been substituted by a copy, as a original painting was presented by the Church to the King of Spain, Philip VII, in the second half of the 17th cent. It is now in the Prado in Madrid.
fig. 8 S. Silvestro -1325-

S. Bernardino (fig.1) This is a Renaissance Church, erected in St. Bernardine of Siena's honour by his Aquilan disciples, St. Giovanni da Capestrano et St. Giacomo della Marca. The elegant facade, finished between 1525 and 1542 by the architect Cola d' Amatrice, is supposed to incorporate in its three orders in Doric, Ionic and Corinthian style, the spirit and fascion of the day which tended towards an exultation of the Classical Period. The interior, afther the catastrophic earthquake of 1703, was re-decorated in Baroque style. The body of the Saint is placed in the mausoleum built by Silvestro dell'Aquila, pupil of Donatello, situated in the right aisle. Most noteworthy are a valuable altar-piece by Andrea della Robbia, a Madonna in polychrome terracotta and the tomb of Maria Pereira Camponeschi found on the left of the main altar, which is also the work of Silvestro.
fig. 8 S. Bernardino -1525-
castello XVI century(fig.1) This magnificent fortress was built during the XVI century at the request of the Emperor Carlo V, who, together with the Vice-roy don Pedro di Toledo and the architect Luigi Pirro Scrivà, is remembered on the stonepiece at the main entrance, below the imperial coat-of-arms represented by a two headed eagle. Used in the past as a military arsenal to suppress a possible revolta on the part of the people and also as a prison, it now contains the National Museum of Abruzzo, an Auditorium, a Conference Hall and the office responsible for the upkeep of Public Monuments and Galleries "National Trust". In one of the bastions, there is a rare example of a one million yaer old "Elephas meridionalis", found near the city in 1954.

fig. 9 Castello XVI
fig. 9 Elephas Meridionalis
il duomo S. Massimo 1257 (fig.1) The city Cathedral is named after the patron saint of the city St. Massimo and after St. Giorgio, from the namer of the quarter it was build in. It was build in 1257 on the structure of a pre-existing temple, but continuos eatrhquakes have destroyed all traces of that structure. St. Massimo today has much more modern features than in the medieval times.

fig. 9 Duomo S. Massimo -1703-
Other remarkable churches in town are the churches St. Giusta and St. Pietro in Coppito XIII century, St. Domenico XIV century, now used as an Auditorium, St. Silvestro XV century.
fig. 3 Santa Chiara -1195-
fig. 4 Santa Chiara, Madonnina
fig. 7 S. Maria di Roio -1390-
fig. 8 San Marciano -1276-
fig. 6 Santa Apollonia XIV
fig. 5 Porta Roiana XIV
fig. 8 S. Pietro a Coppito lunetta
fig. 8 S. Pitro a Coppito, leone
fig. 8 S. Pietro a Coppito
fig. 17 S. Maria ad Criptas
fig. 8 S. Domenico -1300-
fig. 8 S. Maria Paganica -1270-
Stiffe's Caves

The cave, whose tourist itinerary is 550m. follows an underground river whose water comes from numerous sources of the karst plateau of Rocca di Mezzo. Inside, going up the stream, one can admire several small lakes, rapids, and waterfalls up to 20m. hight. The flow varies according to the season which always makes the underground scenery different. Other than stalactites and stalagmites of great dimensions, there are magnificent surroundings and interesting visual and sound effects created by the water.

Situated in a small village: San Demetrio ne' Vestini, Km 21 from L'Aquila.
Stiffe's Caves
The Natural Park Sirente Velino

The territory is rich in history with architectural and archaeological features, a unique natural environment with rare species of flora and fauna. The Velino massif, with the twin peaks of the Velino m.2486 and of the Cafornia m.2424, and the Sirente massif m 2348, the presence (of pastures such as the Sirente pasture of 12 Km of extension) and of extended beechwoods makes the "Altopiano delle Rocche" one of the most interesting natural environments of the central Apennine, where four couples of golden eagles nest (one of the largest concentration of this specie in Italy).
Natural Park Sirente Velino
ROOM and BOARD
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