L'Aquila

Capital of L'Aquila province and of Abruzzi region, south-central Italy, on the River Aterno, 85 km/53 mi northeast of Rome; population (1998 est) 70,700. Industries include tourism, construction, electrical goods, furniture, and foodstuffs; agricultural commerce and public sector employment are important; a buoyant craft sector includes copper, wrought iron, lace, wool, and other fabrics. There is a 14th-century archiepiscopal cathedral (restored in the 18th century), and the 15th-century church of St Bernadino contains the tomb of Bernadino of Siena. The city has a university, conservatory, and academy of fine arts.

L'Aquila was founded by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (1194–1250) on the ruins of the ancient Amiternum, birthplace of the Roman historian Sallust. L'Aquila was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1703, and was also damaged during World War II.

The sculptor Silvestro dell'Aquila (1450–1504), the poet Serafino dell'Aquila (1466–1500), and the artist Pompeo Cesura (died 1571) were born here.

L'Aquila

Province of central Italy in northwest Abruzzi region; capital L'Aquila; area 5,034 sq km/1,944 sq mi; population (2000 est) 222,100.