Holiday apartment in L’Aquila: Culture, nature and Gran Sasso

L’Aquila combines cultural sites with nature and sports activities. Religious buildings, museums, archaeological sites, mountains and a small lake offer the city and its surroundings a variety of themes for your stay.

Culture

The Area archeologica di San Vittorino is a multifaceted archaeological site with thirteen centuries of history. Its traces range from imperial-era domus and early Christian baptisteries to a large Lombard cathedral and the Swabian period. The Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio also commemorates a devastating event: it was built after the 1703 earthquake in memory of its victims.

During restoration work following the earthquake, several frescoes were uncovered in the Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo, including a large early 15th-century Crucifixion fresco. The Basilica di San Bernardino was built in the second half of the 15th century to preserve and honour the body of Saint Bernardino, who died in L’Aquila in 1444. Its Renaissance façade was created by Nicola Filotesio, known as Cola dell’Amatrice, and completed in 1542. The nave is covered by a carved and gilded wooden ceiling, completed in 1724 and supplemented by three paintings in 1732–1733.

The MAXXI L’Aquila is located in Palazzo Ardinghelli and serves as a laboratory dedicated to artistic and cultural production. It combines MAXXI collections of art, architecture and photography with temporary exhibitions, in-depth programmes and educational projects. The courtyard of Palazzo Ardinghelli serves as a public space available to the city. At the Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo, a significant part of the collections has returned to its former location with a modern design.

The Museo del Legno is an interactive museum about the forest, traditional crafts and wood. The former production of charcoal is also documented there. A different view of the city’s history can be found at the Forte Spagnolo: it is currently closed due to reconstruction, but visitors can walk around its exterior and view the architecture from outside. The Fontana delle 99 Cannelle is open to visitors at all times.

Nature

The Santuario della Madonna d’Appari was built between the 13th and 14th centuries among rocks and beside the Raiale stream. In the immediate vicinity are outdoor climbing walls used for free climbing. In the Riserva naturale del Vetoio, the Vetoio River forms a small lake where grey herons breed.

The Gran Sasso can be reached from L’Aquila by car or bus. The immediate surroundings also include Monte Luco and Monte Pettino, both mountains located near L’Aquila. Monte Stabiata and Monte Manicola are also in the surrounding area and are likewise mountains. For journeys within L’Aquila, a bike-sharing system with electrically assisted bicycles is available at several strategic points.

Activities

San Donato Golf offers lessons from certified instructors both to experienced golfers and to people who are taking up the sport. The Auditorium del Parco is a cultural venue. Its red concert hall seats around 250 people.

The Perdonanza Celestiniana was introduced by Pope Celestine V in 1294. Visitors can take part in and experience it on 28 and 29 August. During the Perdonanza Celestiniana, the Porta Santa of the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio is opened every year in the evening of 28 August and closed again 24 hours later, on the evening of 29 August.

Geographical location

Villa Silvestrella, Palazzo Pascali, Palazzo Branconio and Palazzo Farinosi Branconi are located near L’Aquila; all four places are palaces. In addition to the buildings within the city, named historic sites in the immediate surroundings are therefore also available, without extending their characteristics beyond this classification.

Other places

Casentino, Castel Del Monte, Corfinio, Paganica, Sulmona, Scanzano, Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Rocca Pia, Roccacasale, Pescasseroli, Meta, Celano, Castel Di Sangro, Rivisondoli, Sassa, Roccaraso, San Benedetto In Perillis, Capitignano, Gioia Dei Marsi, Rocca Di Mezzo, Ovindoli, Balsorano, Scanno, Bagno, Pettorano Sul Gizio, Barisciano, Barrea, Pescocostanzo, Avezzano, Monticchio, Collepietro, Scurcola Marsicana, Cappadocia, Barete, Fontecchio, Pacentro, Pratola Peligna, Opi, Foce, Lucoli Alto, Alfedena, Cansano, Pescina, Calascio, Aielli, Rocca Di Cambio, Gagliano Aterno, Introdacqua, Ateleta, Campo Di Giove, Assergi, Tagliacozzo, Camarda, Castelvecchio Subequo, Mascioni, Capistrello, Raiano, Pianelle, Ofena, Carapelle Calvisio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Poggio Picenze, Magliano De' Marsi, Civita D'antino, Cagnano Amiterno, Navelli, San Demetrio Ne' Vestini, Campotosto, Bisegna, Civitella Alfedena, Lecce Nei Marsi, Trasacco, Villetta Barrea, Pagliare, Lucoli, Vittorito, Villavallelonga, Rovere, Sant'Eusanio Forconese, Ortona dei Marsi, Montereale, Santi, Collarmele, Villalago, San Pio delle Camere, Tempera, Scontrone, Preturo, Cocullo, Coppito, Colle Farelli, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Morino, Verrecchie, Collettara, Spineta, Capestrano, Massa D'albe, Sant'Elia, Pietransieri, Carsoli, Balsorano Nuovo, San Giovanni Valle Roveto Superiore, L’Aquila, Stiffe, Cerchio, Collebrincioni, Prezza.

To the higher-level travel overview: Abruzzo.