Chiesa dei Santi Marciano e Nicandro, church in L'Aquila, Italy
Chiesa dei Santi Marciano e Nicandro is a Romanesque church in central L'Aquila built with white stone and featuring simple, solid forms. The building has a two-part facade with a carved portal, a round window, and inside several niches holding small altars plus a main altar located in the central area of the apse.
The church was built in the 13th century and rebuilt starting in 1266 after an earthquake in 1259, becoming an important site in the city. A devastating earthquake in 1703 nearly destroyed it completely, leading to its restoration in Baroque style, evident in the richer details of the interior.
The church is named after two Christian saints and reflects the religious traditions that have been central to this community for centuries. Inside, the altars and religious artworks show how this place served as a spiritual center where local people gathered for worship and prayer.
The church is located in central L'Aquila and is easy to reach on foot with clear views of the facade and entrance. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited due to ongoing restoration work following the 2009 earthquake.
The facade was renewed in 1940 using a design similar to other Romanesque churches in the city, yet the artistic contents inside come from earlier periods. Notably, Renaissance frescoes depict the saints whose names the church bears, shown alongside scenes from their lives.
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