L'Aquila earthquake

The earthquake that killed scores of people in central Italy today has severely damaged a series of important historic buildings, including a famous medieval church and one of the country's best-preserved Renaissance castles.

At least four old churches were damaged in the 6.3-magnitude quake that struck early this morning, the culture ministry in Rome said.

Among them was the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, a striking pink-and-white stone-faced structure known for its architecture and for an annual pilgrimage honouring a 13th-century pope, Celestine V, a former hermit who was both crowned and buried there.

One nave wall in the church, which is also celebrated for its 14th-century frescoes and lavish Gothic interior, collapsed in the quake, while the bell tower of another church, the lavish Renaissance-era Basilica of San Bernardino, collapsed.

Apparently some damage in Rome to the Baths of Caracalla, according to the Telegraph.

Posted by David on April 6, 2009 12:27 PM