Piazza Duomo and the Church of the Anime Sante

Before you opens Piazza Duomo, the symbolic and historic heart of L’Aquila, long the center of the city’s religious, civic, and commercial life. Since the Middle Ages, this square has hosted markets, public ceremonies, and key moments in Aquilan history, becoming a place of shared identity and encounter.

On the eastern side of the square stands the Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio, commonly known as the Church of the Anime Sante. Built in the 18th century to commemorate the victims of the devastating earthquake of 1703, the church stands as a sign of faith and collective memory. Its elegant Baroque dome is one of the most recognizable features of the city skyline.

Severely damaged by the 2009 earthquake, the church has undergone a long and careful restoration and today stands as a symbol of reconstruction and resilience. Observing it, one can sense the deep bond between the city and its history, marked by destruction but also by an extraordinary ability to rise again.

Pause for a moment in the square: among architecture, silence, and everyday voices, Piazza Duomo and the Church of the Anime Sante reveal the most authentic soul of L’Aquila.