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L'AQUILA
The creation of a “Studio
Generale” (an old university) dates back to this period
and the opening of one of the first Italian printing houses,
work of Adamo of Rottwill, who was the direct disciple of
Gutenberg. The City’s decline began instead in the final
years of the 15th
Century and in the first of the 16th, when
L’Aquila found itself involved in the war between France
and Spain; asking support first from Carlo VIII and then from
the Emperor Carlo V. Occupied in 1529 by Viceroy Filiberto
of Chalon, Prince of Orange, it was pillaged and partly destroyed,
suffering also strong territorial losses and heavy fiscal
impositions by the Imperial Governor. This led to the loss
of its autonomy. It was then also afflicted by a series of
earthquakes and epidemics. It was also the continuous scene
of internal rebellions at the end of the 18th Century, until
Carlo II, of the Bourbons of Spain, took up the throne and
tried to resolve the economic-social conditions. It was then
in 1799 that L’Aquila was forced to undergo a further
pillage by the French, and later, during the reign of Murat,
it was robbed of a considerable number of artistic treasures.
In the Renaissance period, after the Bourbon restoration,
it was part of the revolts of 1821 and 1831, and that of 1848.
It then declared its annexing with the Italian reign on 8th
September 1860, soon after the Garibaldine troops entered
Naples.
The late Roman Church of Saint
Mary of Collemaggio, founded in 1287 outside the City walls,
is characteristic for its façade and marmoreal incrustation
and for its beautiful doors; it’s the most decorated
and well preserved monument of the City, as well as being
the highest architectural expression of the entire region.
Other late Roman Churches, but ones that have been re-adjusted,
are the churches of Saint Giusta (1257-1349), Saint Mary of
Paganica, Saint Flaviano (dating back to the end of the 1200’s)
and Saint Silvestro. The Renaissance Cathedral of Saint Bernardino
(1454), with its 16th Century façade by Cola dell’Amatrice
and sculptures by Silvestro dell’Aquila, contains the
mausoleum dedicated to Saint Bernardino of Siena.
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L'AQUILA
Art City
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SUNDIAL |
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