The visiting route of the town can start from the wonderful basilica of San Bernardino da Siena; the magnificent façade is preceded by a wide flight of steps with a scenographic effect. The church was built between 1454 and 1472 and it has a grand front completing horizontally, made by Cola dellâAmatrice. Remarkable is the central portal with a high-relief by Silvestro dellâAquila. Inside many artâs operas as the enamelled pale in terracotta by Andrea della Robbia and the mausoleum of San Bernardino da Siena.
Santa Maria di Collemaggio
(Foto D'Angelo)
The journey can carry on towards the Castle, built by the Spanish between 1534 and 1549, âad reprimendam audaciam aquilanorumâ. It is the seat of the National Museum of Abruzzo.
Tomba di Celestino V
(Foto D'Angelo)
The most important church of the city is Santa Maria in Collemaggio. Pope Celestino V wanted its building and here he has been crowned in 1294. on the façade, with white and rose geometric decoration, there are three rose-windows and three adorned Romanesque portals; the central portal and the one in the left side (Porta Santa) are marvellous. Vast the inside with three naves.
On the walls votive frescoes painted from the 1300s to the 1500s. in the greater chapel there is the sepulchre of the hermit pope, in renaissance shapes by Girolamo da Vicenza.
Out the historical centre, towards Porta Riviera, there is the fountain of 99 taps, magnificent medieval monument built around 1272 to remind the castles which contributed to the cityâs birth. At the base 99 mask, all different, spill water in the basins below.