New Year's Eve L'Aquila

If you want to spend a cheerful New Year's Eve and full of festivals, then you can go to L' Aquila, a University city always cheerful and lively, just at the foot of the wonderful Gran Sasso massif.
The city was founded by the Emperor Federico II in 1230 and it has a very particular urban structure, namely the eagle constellation, an heraldic coat of arms of the Emperor.
Initially, the Aquila ancient core was the initial village to which were referred 99 villages, which formed all the city.
After being under the Kingdom of Naples domain and then of the Pontifical State, in the XVIth century the city passed under the Spanish domain.
For what concerns the economy, that one of L’Aquila has lived ups and downs: today an important source of sustenance comes from the tourism sector, as well as from major pharmaceutical companies that have headquarters here.
Let’s not forget then, the University and the other institutions important role such as, the conservatory.
Let’s start our visit of the city from the famous St. Massimo and St. Giorgio cathedral, dating back to the XIIIth century and many times restored.
Among the religious buildings we also recall the Santa Maria di Collemaggio basilica, in the Romanesque style: in this basilica was buried the saint patron of the city, namely the Pope Celestine V.
Yet, we cannot miss to visit the Castle-Fortress, in the Renaissance style: the Spanish wanted the construction of this imposing castle in the XVIth century.
Very evocative and full of historical significance is the 99 Cannelle fountain, dating back to the Middle Age: each “cannella” represents a village from which the Aquila city was born.
In the surrounding area of the city we can admire many natural beauties, first of all the Gran Sasso massif, that is the highest mountain of the Apennines.