The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio is a religious building in L'Aquila, located just outside the city walls, on the homonymous hill.
Founded in 1288 at the behest of Pietro da Morrone - here crowned pope with the name of Celestino V on 29 August 1294 - it is considered the maximum expression of the Abruzzese architecture as well as the symbol of the city and was declared a national monument in 1902. It is the seat of an annual jubilee, the first in history, established with the Bolla del Perdono on September 29, 1294 and known as the Perdonanza Celestiniana, therefore it is characterized by the presence, on the side façade, of a Holy Door.
Starting in 1327, the pontiff's body is buried in the basilica; initially in a sepulcher of the side chapel while, from 1517, his body was placed inside a monumental mausoleum built by Girolamo da Vicenza, master of Andrea Palladio.
The church, which boasts the title of minor basilica together with the citizens of San Bernardino and San Giuseppe Artigiano, has been remodeled several times over the centuries mainly due to the damage caused by the frequent earthquakes and presents a mixture of different architectural styles. Following the 2009 earthquake, it has been closed to the public since 2013 and is in the process of being restored starting in 2015. In December 2017, the final re-opening to the public is expected.
With the earthquake of 6 April 2009, the dome collapsed and has not yet been rebuilt, but a structure was created that guaranteed the possibility of reopening the Collemaggio cult in a relatively short time and of continuing to be the fundamental place of the Celestinian Forgiveness.
Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio
Address: Piazzale Collemaggio, 5
Phone: 0862 404167
Site:
http://www.basilicacollemaggio.itLocation inserted by
Paola Bonometti