Things to do in L'aquila
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Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio
The striking Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio is Abruzzo's most famous church. Its square pink-and-white quilt-pattern façade is a beautiful marriage of architectural styles - the intricate rose windows are typically Gothic while the imposing central portal is pure Romanesque. In contrast to the bright exterior, the interior is gloomy and stark.
Consecrated in 1288, the basilica became an important religious centre in 1294 when Pietro del Morrone was crowned Pope Celestine V here. As founder of the Celestine order, he was canonised in 1303, seven years after his death, and his tomb lies inside the basilica.
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La Perdonanza
L'Aquila's big annual event is La Perdonanza on 28 August. This colourful celebration goes back to 1294 when Pietro del Morrone was crowned Pope Celestine V in the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio. In an act of largesse, Celestine granted plenary indulgence to everyone present who had confessed and taken Communion. Since then, every 28 August, the pardon has been repeated. The grand pardon is preceded by a 1000-strong costumed procession and a week of highly charged celebrations.
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Forte Spagnolo
With the Gran Sasso d'Italia looming over, L'Aquila's 16th-century castle is a foreboding sight. Known locally as the Forte Spagnolo, it was built after an unsuccessful rebellion against the city's Spanish rulers in 1528. The austere geometry, steep blanched battlements and now-empty moat were designed by the Valencian architect Pirro Luis Scrivà and commissioned by Don Pedro de Toledo, the Spanish viceroy of Naples and de facto ruler of L'Aquila.
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Fountain of the 99 Spouts
The city's most emblematic sight, the Fountain of the 99 Spouts is a misnomer - there are, in fact, only 93 spewing gargoyles. Surrounded by a wall of pink-and-white stone, the 13th-century fountain is one of the few supplies of fresh water that has proved reliable throughout the city's earthquake-prone past. The fountain lies to the west of the centre, near the Porta Riviera, one of the city's four medieval gates.
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Basilica di San Bernardino
To the north, the 15th-century Basilica di San Bernardino features a lavish three-tiered Renaissance façade and an opulent baroque interior. Of note are the detailed reliefs on San Bernadino's mausoleum. San Bernadino, originally from Siena, died in L'Aquila in 1444.
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La Matriciana
A bustling trattoria with a no-frills approach and an appreciative clientele. Huge steaming bowls of pasta and filling meat dishes are the order of the day along with robust red wine and unpretentious desserts. According to Italian custom, fish is served on Fridays.
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Trattoria del Giaguaro
Even on a wet Monday in March this place is packed at lunchtime. Locals come here for tried and tested staples such as ossobuco (veal shank) and lasagne. For a meat-free main course the grilled scamorza (smoked cheese) is a tasty alternative.
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Trattoria da Rino
With nonna in the kitchen and the grandkids running about, a meal here is about as close as you'll get to eating in a local home. There are no surprises on the menu, just hefty portions of warming Abruzzo classics and basic red wine.
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Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo
Forte Spagnolo houses the Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo and its collection of local archaeological finds and religious art. The surprise highlight is the skeleton of a million-year-old mammoth, unearthed near the city in 1954.
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Museum
To see how the city's aristocracy once lived, head for the small museum in the Palazzo Signorini Corsi where you'll find the Corsi family's considerable collection of religious art and period furniture.
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Duomo
Lending its name to L'Aquila's central piazza, the Duomo has suffered repeated earthquake damage since the 13th-century. Today it boasts little more than an unexceptional neoclassical façade.
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Pasticceria Fratelli Nurzia
An elegant old café celebrated for its cakes and coffee. Speciality of the house is the caffè Nurzia, a delicious concoction of coffee, cream and chocolate.
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Corner
On the corner of Via Cavour and Piazza del Duomo, this is the place for an early-evening aperitif with the fashionable 30-something set.
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