Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio — Attraction in L'Aquila

Collemaggio, il sito dove sorge la Basilica, vedeva la preesistenza di un altro edificio religioso, la "chiesa di santa Maria dell'Assunzione" (gli unici resti sono rappresentati dal loggione). In essa l'eremita Pietro da Morrone alloggiò e, secondo la tradizione, qui gli apparse la Vergine Maria in sogno che chiese proprio l'edificazione di una nuova chiesa. Nel 1288, con ancora il cantiere non concluso, avvenne la Consacrazione della Basilica. Il 5 luglio 1294 Pietro viene eletto Papa con il nome di Celestino V e, il 29 agosto dello stesso anno, riceve il trono Papale direttamente con una celebrazione solenne nella Basilica di santa Maria, finita con un impianto più complesso rispetto a quello attuale. La particolarità è l'elemento della porta lignea, posta nella navata laterale sinistra, voluta proprio dallo stesso Papa per l'istituzione della "Perdonanza Celestiniana"; divenne quindi cosi la prima Porta Santa al mondo. A causa dei vari terremoti che si sono succeduti negli anni, la Basilica ebbe vari interventi sia di ricostruzione che di abbellimento, non a caso è possibile trovare diverse tracce di pitture risalenti al Cinquecento (numerosi sono i volti). Il 6 aprile 2009, l'ultimo devastante terremoto, ha ridotto in macerie tutta la copertura della navata centrale e ha distrutto parte dei grandi pilastri di pietra, oltre alla stessa cupola. Grazie ad un intervento di restauro e ristrutturazione architettonica, oggi la Basilica è stata rinforzata in tutte le sue parti ed è tornata a splendere nella sua meravigliosa architettura austera.

ENGLISH: Collemaggio, the site where the Basilica stands, saw the pre-existence of another religious building, the "church of Santa Maria dell'Assumption" (the only remains are represented by the gallery). In it the hermit Pietro da Morrone stayed and, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream and asked for the construction of a new church. In 1288, with the construction still unfinished, the Consecration of the Basilica took place. On 5 July 1294 Peter was elected Pope with the name of Celestine V and, on 29 August of the same year, he received the Papal throne directly with a solemn celebration in the Basilica of Santa Maria, finished with a more complex structure than the current one. The peculiarity is the element of the wooden door, placed in the left side aisle, wanted by the Pope himself for the institution of the "Celestinian Forgiveness"; thus it became the first Holy Door in the world. Due to the various earthquakes that have occurred over the years, the Basilica underwent various interventions of both reconstruction and embellishment, it is no coincidence that it is possible to find several traces of paintings dating back to the sixteenth century (there are many faces). On 6 April 2009, the last devastating earthquake reduced the entire roof of the central nave to rubble and destroyed part of the large stone pillars, as well as the dome itself. Thanks to a restoration and architectural restructuring, today the Basilica has been reinforced in all its parts and has returned to shine in its marvelous austere...



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the Basilica

ANDone of the most famous symbols of the architecture of L'Aquila and Abruzzo and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the city of L'Aquila. Founded in 1288 by order of Pietro da Morrone, who was crowned Pope there with the name of Celestine V on 29 August 1294, it stands on a hill in a strategic position for the control of the Bazzano valley and the valley where the ancient sheep track was located, in an intermediate position between the Forconese and Amiternino counties.

The grandiose Basilica of Collemaggio can be admired from afar, walking along Viale Collemaggio, thanks to the uniqueness conferred by the splendid chromatism of its façade.

Its history is, therefore, closely linked to the figure of Celestine V, who in 1294 donated to the city the papal bull that established plenary indulgence for all those who, having repented and confessed, entered the Basilica from the evening of August 28 (the day of the beheading of the Baptist) until the evening...

Very important basilica with relics of st Pope Celestin V. It was built in 1288 according to vote of the Pope (at that moment he was only Pietro Morrone), it was collapsed and renovated many times due to terrible earhquakes (Who call Rome, Eternal City? L'Aquila is real Eternal City!), last time it was half-destroyed in 2009 and renovated again. Basilica has beautiful western facade - half-Gothic, half-Renaissance, and you must see Holy Door on the northern side (1397). Due to bull of st Celestin V, whoever enters basilica by Holy Door between vespers of 28 and 29 of August every year will have absolution of all his sins. In the church it's possible to see relics of Celestin V inside the mausoleum...