Santa Maria del Suffragio, Baroque church in L'Aquila, Italy
Santa Maria del Suffragio is a baroque church in L'Aquila built with a Latin cross floor plan and a single nave that leads to a rectangular apse. The structure is topped by a neoclassical dome and houses several decorated altars and artworks within its side chapels.
Construction of this church began in 1713 following a devastating earthquake in 1703 that damaged the earlier confraternity building. The church was built as a replacement for what was lost and has shaped the religious life of the city since then.
The church is named after a confraternity devoted to praying for the deceased, reflecting how people in this community understood spiritual support. Inside, multiple artworks and decorated altars create a space that residents have used for their spiritual practices over centuries.
The church is open to visitors during daytime hours and sits in L'Aquila's city center, making it easy to reach on foot. The interior is straightforward to navigate, with main routes clearly visible and artworks easily visible from different spots.
The building underwent major restoration after a 2009 earthquake, with an international team of experts and the French government supporting the reconstruction effort. This experience shows how important preserving such places is to people across different nations.
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