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City of L'Aquila - Italy

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CITY OF L'AQUILA
In 1254 the inhabitants of the popular 99 castles were reunited by Conrad IV thanks to an executive diploma issued by Frederic II from Swabia: it stated the construction of the city, which was probably named after the village Acculi.
The population increased so much that it established a very important settlement.
It was a prosperous city during the Angevin reign thanks to the popular "Road of Abruzzi", a trade and military route linking Neaples with Florence. Around the XV century it was besieged by Braccio from Montone.
It was a lively cultural centre too; it had the first printing office in the region and any art developed in this city, as it is proved by its rich heritage.
The rebellion against Charles V during the French-Spanish war was the beginning of its decline. It was deprived of a lot of privileges and it also underwent a disastrous earthquake in 1703.
The consequent reconstruction encouraged a remarkable development of both civil and religious building.

 

(Castle of L'Aquila)
L'Aquila, 700 mt
- The Castle (Spanish Fortress)
This marvellous example of military architecture, unique for its features, by mistake called "castle", is actually a fortress. It was built in 1534 by order of the viceroy of Neaples Don Pedro from Toledo "ad reprimendam audaciam Aquilanorum", i.e. in order to repress the inhabitants of the rich town L'Aquila, which rebelled against the Spanish and took sides with the French. The Spanish Don Pirro Luis Escribà, captain and military architect under Charles V, designed the huge fortress.

 

(Saint Mary of Collemaggio)
L'Aquila, 700 mt
- St Mary of Collemaggio
It is the most well-known basilica in Abruzzo, thanks to its historical and architectonic importance. Peter from Morrone, the Celestine V-to-be who was designated as a pope inside it in 1294, started building it in 1287.
The wide facade is original thanks to its beautiful geometric-drawing ornament through white and pink slabs on which you can see interesting architectonic elements.

 

(Church of Saint Berardino)
L'Aquila, 700 mt
- Church of St Berardino
The Church was built in1454 thanks to St John from Capestrano, a follower of St Berardino from Siena. The cloister was built at the same time. The original building had three naves meeting in a wide poligonal area, generated by the dome; four chapels overlooked it. After the earthquake in 1461, on 17 May 1472 St Berardino's body was brought there with a solemn ceremony.

 

(99-tap Fountain "99 Cannelle")
L'Aquila, 700 mt
- 99-tap Fountain
It is one of the most ancient and characteristic monuments, almost a symbol of the city. It was built, by order of the Tuscan governor Lucchesino Ateleta, by Master Tancredi from Pentima. It is original not only for its trapezoidal shape and stone masks, each one different from the others, but also because the main spring feeding it is unknown.
According to the tradition the masks would be a symbol of the lords of the manors who contribu- ted to the foundation of the city.

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