Location: L'Aquila
Top Things to do in L'Aquila
- 1. Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio
- 2. Caseificio Campo Felice
- 3. Basilica di San Bernardino
- 4. Fontana delle 99 cannelle
- 5. Forte Spagnolo
- 6. National Laboratory of the Big Rock
- 7. Santuario San Giovanni Paolo II
- 8. Piazza del Duomo
- 9. Observatory of Campo Imperatore
- 10. Anfiteatro Romano di Amiternum
Top 10 Things to do in L'Aquila, Italy
L'Aquila (Italian: [ˈlaːkwila] ( listen), meaning "The Eagle") is a city and comune in Southern Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. As of 2013, it has a population of 70,967 inhabitants. Laid out within medieval walls on a hill in the wide valley of the Aterno river, it is surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, with the Gran Sasso d'Italia to the north-east.
Restaurants in L'Aquila
1. Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By Eli B - Sydney, Australia
Before the Cathedral here's some local magic to experience. I wish i could read L'Aquila blindfolded so as not to see the elevated motorways that surround and almost suffocate the city.
Remember the number '99.' No, not the agent Maxwell Smart kind, but for everything that this town commemorates.... its founders, rivers city wards, squares, churches and 99 peals of Reatinella bell, sounded after sunset to signal the closing of the city's four gates.
Get this, there are 99 spouts coming out of the 3rd century Fontana della 99 Cannelle, the city's best-known symbol and monument. Visitors cannot spend their entire time swooning by the waters of the spouts, so a visit to the basilica de Santa Maria di collemaggio, built in 1287 is a must. The facade is magnificent, characterised stunningly by striated white& pink hewn stone and three 5th century portals. Its not only showy but is a Gothic- Romanesque masterpiece. There are artisanal masterpieces as well in the form of lace and ceramics of exceptional beauty.
The city is like a hollow surrounded by the Mountains of the Gran Sasso which traces the crest of the Apennines. We have walked small sections and love the flora and fauna, as well as town centres like Amatrice with preserved artistic works from the 13th-16th centuries, Arququata de Tronto, a medieval village dominated by its fortress, while in Colle charcoal burning is still in use. What pollution, you say? Further afield, Campli is home to the Necropolis and Civitella del Tronto which has a superb fortress. Do make the track out to the pathway that crosses the fascinating Salinello Gorges. We loved it.
2. Caseificio Campo Felice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By FoodFromTheScretch
Pretty and authentic Italian "around the corner" grocery store. Handmade mozzarella made here from people who work in the store. When we tasted it was still warm! It was superb and delicious. In addition we had an fantastic Italian lemonade Lurisia which is a very good drink. Plenty of other local excellent products (pasta, sweets, wines, liquors etc..). Good place for gifts.
3. Basilica di San Bernardino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By tpbel - Belfast
Thus church survived the earthquake while all the buildings around it suffered. St. Bernard who rests here is said to have provided protection. Whatever the explanation, the preservation of the beautiful interior and exquisite roof is a joy to see. Don't miss.
4. Fontana delle 99 cannelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 559 reviews
Reviewed By penelope_pit_stop123 - Bedford, United Kingdom
I was disappointed in this Fountain. There is rubbish and algae in the water troughs. There are weeds growing over it. Their roots likely to cause damage. I realise that this city has other more important priorities at hand but they do need to clean this place up a bit.
5. Forte Spagnolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
6. National Laboratory of the Big Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Rita_G_64 - Trieste, Italia
Ho avuto la fortunata possibilità ed occasione di partecipare ad una visita guidata nel cuore dell'eccellenza scientifica Italiana . I Laboratori del gran Sasso posti nel sottosuolo della catena sono gestiti dall'Istituto nazionale di fisica nucleare (INFN) e sono destinati allo studio della fisica delle particelle. E' incredibile che l'accesso avvenga in tunnel direttamente dall'autostrada.
Qui hanno lavorato e collaborato i più grandi fisici e scienziati del nostro pianeta e ogni esperimento è caratterizzato dalla costruzione di un labarotorio specifico nelle diverse aree dell'enorme struttura sotterranea.
E' stato emozionante ascoltare le attente ed appassionate spiegazioni del fisico che ci ha accompagnato, in totale sicurezza e che in ogni diversa ala ci ha illustrato i progetti scientifici dedicati in particolare alla cattura dei neutrini .
E' questo il motivo della presenza del laboratorio sotterraneo protetto migliaia di metri di roccia per isolarlo completamente dalla possibile contaminazione di altre particelle e permettere così, anche grazie alla creazione di serbatoi riempidi di particolari sostanze e gas, la cattura di un neutrino ... che deve essere fortunatissima di un neutrino .
Allego qualche scatto ricordo di questa esperienza che rimarra impressa nei miei ricordi per sempre . Ringrazio la competenza e la professionalità dei ricercatori che dedicano la loro vita a sperimentare in questo laboratorio che è veramente isolato dal mondo.
7. Santuario San Giovanni Paolo II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By 740rupertw - London, United Kingdom
An interesting tiny village of no more than a few small stone houses and a few larger homes. The Borgo is placed on a smaller hilltop set within the Mountains of Abruzzo, a small church sits in the centre of the town with stunning views along the length of the valley.
The village history dates back to 1400, but was abandoned in the 1950's and has since been carefully restored, probably with funds made available by the Catholic Church.
The village church must once have been a dignified place of beauty, its small size and bare fittings with small central painted cross icon placed above the alter fitting the small scale of the tiny village, sadly these have since been removed and replaced with badly painted images of Karol Józef Wojtyła, but worse still is the strange large bronze statue placed in front of the church.
Visitors who are equipped can also bring meat to BBQ at stone fire pits next to the church again with stunning views of the valley in the distance.
A small B&B lies just beyond the church within the village, but visitors should be aware that at this higher altitude temperatures drop rapidly after dark, however a summer visit in August felt fresh at 25 degrees in the late afternoon.
Access is by car or trecking in foot, Caravans are prohibited from entering the village. Note visitor numbers must surely start to rise now the village has finally been opened after its restoration.
Note also what looked like a public toilet opposite to the church had still not been finished when I visited in August 2015.
In Summary a good place for a short visit, but perhaps nothing beyond an hour max to see: the church and surrounding countryside.
8. Piazza del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By Jackie G - Rome, Italy
Unfortunately the duomo is still closed, the other church on the piazza has one small room open as a chapel of remembrance for victims of the earthquake and as you scan there is scaffolding everywhere. But there is a certain vibrancy nonetheless - the view of the Mountains is beautiful, and there is a store that sells locally-made meats, cheeses and other things near a bar where you can get a drink and a few nibbles to relax. I would not advise others to travel to L'Aquila but if you find yourself this is a good place to sit and relax for a few moments.
9. Observatory of Campo Imperatore
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By LUPOERRANTE - Italy
L'osservatorio e tra uno dei punti di osservazione del cielo più conosciuti. Attualmente non è possibile la visita ma rimane un luogo perfetto e privo da inquinamento da luce. Facile e suggestivo arrivare al suo cospetto arrivando in macchina dal passo di Campo Imperatore. Esperienza unica
10. Anfiteatro Romano di Amiternum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By Povldr - Frederiksberg, Denmark
Amiternum is an ancient Roman area near the Italian city L'Aquila in Abruzzo. The main attractions are the Amphitheatre and the arena. You can find some better preserved both in Italy and outside Italy, but at least you will not be bothered by other tourists here.
I visited in June, and I did not see any other visitors, so you could walk around and study the architecture in your own tempo. You can look at the ancient buildings, and you will at the same time find some information about the area in both Italian and English.
However - you should not expect an impressive museum.
Entrance is free. There is a bus stop just outside the excavation area, and some of the local busses stop here. Others stop some hundred meters further away.
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