L'AQUILA | ABRUZZO

Discover Aquila

Tradition has it that Aquila was founded in the 13th century from the fusion of 99 villages, each one complete with a castle, square, fountain and church.
The area around Aquila was an important crossroads between Naples and Florence, and a major centre for wool production and the saffron trade. This allowed the city to become rich and also to invest its wealth in the construction of important city architecture. The 99 Spout Fountain dates from 1272, while the church of Santa Maria di Colemaggio with its facade of white and pink geometric designs is from about ten years later. Another monument to visit in Aquila is the Castle (1530-1635), home of the Abruzzo National Museum.

Precious works of art are also found in small villages around Aquila, for example Barrea. The Barrea parish church of S. Tommaso Apostolo has an 18th century wooden crucifix of great interest, and unusual, cylindrically shaped castle towers. Barrea is one of the most important towns in the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise.
The National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, located in the heart of the central Apennines, embraces three provinces: Aquila, Frosinone and Isernia. The park is divided into five distinct areas. The part in the Abruzzo region includes the Alto Sangro area, Marsica Fucense and the Peligna valley. Barrea is one of the most beautiful towns in the park with a wonderful panoramic view. Nearby is the Barrea artificial lake, formed by building a weir on the River Sangro.

Capestrano, another jewel in the Aquila province, is known for the discovery of the ‘Warrior’, an Italic statue from the 6th century BC.
Close to it is the village of Bominaco, dominated by the ruins of a 13th century castle.
Those who like villages should see Fontecchio, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sirente-Velino Park.  One of Italy’s oldest clocks still marks time today in Fontecchio. The historic town centre of Pacentro is like a fairy-tale. Take a walk along Via del Castello and Via di Sotto and visit the old public washhouse made of stone slabs.
The showpiece of the Gransasso and Monti della Laga Park is Santo Stefano di Sessanio with its pretty red roofed houses and peculiar spiral streets.
Tagliacozzo rises from the Liri Valley on the slopes of Monte Bove. Tagliacozzo is known for having given its name to the battle between Charles of Anjou and Conradin of Swabia.
The heart of the town is Piazza dell’Obelisco with its historic and noble palaces.