L'aquila

L'Aquila, capital of the Abruzzo region, extends over a vast basin crossed by the Aterno River. Its economy flourishes thanks to its trading and agricultural activities, and a developed artistic and cultural tourist industry. Founded in the XIII century at the will of Frederick II, L’Aquila becomes part of the Anjou territory after the fall of the Suevian and enjoys a discrete revival with the Bourbons after a period of alternating fortunes becoming, moreover, the second city of Naples due to its well-being and power. Its decline, however, arrived with Filiberto d’Orange, who, since the XVI century, deprived it from its autonomy by introducing the Spanish feudalism. Among L'Aquila’s main architectonic attractions, we mention the imposing Castello spagnolo, the fascinating Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where Celestine V was buried, the picturesque Fountain of the 99 Spouts, the typical Church of San Bernardino and the majestic Cathedral of Saint Massimo. Furthermore, the cultural and scientific richness of L’Aquila Italian scenery is significant, since it is the home of the National Museum of Abruzzo, the first-class Experimental Museum of Contemporary Arts “Muspac" and the prestigious Laboratori Sotterrani del Gran Sasso (Underground Laboratories of the Gran Sasso). Among the events and festival days that encourage travellers and visitors to stay in the wonderful Abruzzo lands, we recall the shows and memories of the Celestine Perdonanza (a religious rite of the Pardon) in August, activities in the Società Aquilana dei Concerti Bonaventura Barattelli and the prestigious performances of the T.S.A, one of the 18 Italian stable theatres.