L’Aquila

L’Aquila (Italian for «The Eagle») is both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L’Aquila, Italy. It’s surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, with the Gran Sasso d’Italia mountain massif to the north-east. This mid-13th century medieval city was the conception of Emperor Frederick II and as legend goes, it was created by 99 already existing neighbouring villages and has 99 squares, 99 churches and 99 fountains. Its most famous fountain the «Fontana delle 99 Cannelle», the Fountain of the 99 Spouts, was completed in 1272 to commemorate the 99 founding villages (panoramic view in the «360°» gallery). It is a very varied city with its Baroque and Renaissance buildings and churches, its 16th century Spanish fort and many more modern structures such as the pedestrian tunnel, which leads from the centre to the bus station near the Basilica di S. Maria di Collemaggio.

Unfortunately, it was once again heavily damaged by a major earthquake on April 6th of 2009 and was completely closed off for a couple of years before reconstruction started. Now, more than a decade later, the reconstruction is well underway and soon the city will shine in a glory as per never before. (Photos: autumn 2021)