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L'Aquila is a small city in central Italy, having about 70,000 inhabitants, and is both the regional capital of Abruzzo and capital of the province of L'Aquila. Although less than two hours' drive from Rome, the city (laid out within walls remaining from the medieval period) has not yet been heavily influenced by foreign tourism. L'Aquila is the site of many electronic industries, and is the home of a rugby team which has been Italian champion many times.

There are several churches and monuments of historic and artistic value, the heritage of its rich medieval past, such as the Fountain of the Ninety-Nine Spouts, almost a symbol of the city, the massive 16th-century Spanish castle, which crowns the city's highest point, the Basilica of St. Bernardine, (whose dome is visible above the castle's massive body in the view on the left) the greatest Renaissance church in Abruzzi, and the Church of Saint Mary in Collemaggio, the most outstanding example of Abruzzi romanesque architecture, where Peter from Morrone was crowned Pope in 1294, leaving to the city the unvaluable gift of the Perdonanza.

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Unmistakable against the city skyline stands out the dome of St Bernardine's, the largest Renaissance church in Abruzzi. The Spanish Castle At the centre of the large Parco del Castello on the highest spot of the city of L'Aquila, against the majestic background of the Gran Sasso d'Italia rises the Spanish Fortress commonly called "Castello" by the Aquilans. The fortress follows a square plan, with sides 130 m long and protruding bastions at the four corners; the walls are 10 m thick at the bottom, 5 m thick at the top. The entrance is through a stone bridge, which leads into the locals and the peaceful inner courtyard.

 

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