Santa Maria di Collemaggio Church

Address: Piazza Santa Maria di Collemaggio, 67100 L’Aquila AQ, Italy

Hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (hours may vary with services and restorations)

Admission: Free (entrance to the basilica and complex, donations welcome)

Santa Maria di Collemaggio is a medieval basilica in L’Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, founded in 1288 and closely associated with Pope Celestine V. It is one of the city’s principal religious monuments and a historic pilgrimage site.

The church is noted for its striped stone façade and large rose window, and for its three-aisled interior that preserves medieval masonry and fresco fragments. Visitors commonly view the façade from the adjacent piazza and enter to see the raised presbytery, crypt areas, and funerary monuments. The basilica also houses the tomb associated with Pietro da Morrone, which remains a focal point for pilgrims.

Construction was begun in the late 13th century under Pietro da Morrone, who later became Pope Celestine V; the complex has seen multiple phases of rebuilding and decoration over the medieval and modern periods. The building was badly damaged in the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake and subsequently underwent major restoration before being reopened to the public.

The basilica sits within the historic centre of L’Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, on the Collemaggio hill area of the city. It is within walking distance of other central L’Aquila landmarks and transport links.

• Best viewpoint: Front square provides the clearest view of the striped stone façade and rose window, and is the standard photo point for the basilica.
• Annual Perdonanza celebration: The Perdonanza Celestiniana indulgence originates here and is still celebrated annually, attracting pilgrims to the basilica.
• 2009 earthquake and restoration: Heavily damaged in the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, the basilica underwent extensive restoration and was reopened to the public after reconstruction work.

What to See#

• Tomb of Pope Celestine V: Contains the tomb and reliquary associated with Pietro da Morrone, the monk who became Pope Celestine V; the tomb is a focal point for pilgrims and sits within the church’s eastern area.
• Façade and nave: A striped Romanesque-Gothic façade with a large rose window leads into a three-aisled interior with fresco fragments and a raised presbytery; the nave and aisles date to the medieval rebuilds and later restorations.

The basilica is in L’Aquila’s historic center, a short walk from the city’s main bus stops. By car, follow signs to the centro storico and Piazza Collemaggio; parking is limited and some streets fall within restricted zones.

• Inspect the facade's inlaid stonework and the tomb of Pope Celestine V if accessible.
• Visit the basilica early - its cloister and inner spaces are calm before noon.
• Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens: the piazza and the church make dramatic compositions, especially after rain.