Palazzo Ardinghelli, Baroque palace and contemporary art museum in L'Aquila, Italy.
Palazzo Ardinghelli is a Baroque palace in L'Aquila that functions as a contemporary art museum. Inside, a monumental staircase decorated with frescoes by artist Vincenzo Damini leads to a columned courtyard.
Architect Francesco Fontana designed the building between 1732 and 1743, incorporating parts of older Renaissance homes from the Cappa and Camponeschi families. This combination of different periods shaped it into a key example of local architecture.
The palace houses the MAXXI L'Aquila museum since 2021, displaying contemporary art collections within its restored Baroque rooms. Visitors encounter modern works displayed in a historical setting that brings together traditional architecture with current artistic expressions.
The palace sits near Fontana Luminosa and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, linking two city squares through its interior courtyard. Visitors can explore the surrounding area on foot and easily combine the site with other nearby attractions.
After the 2009 earthquake, the Russian government supported the restoration with substantial funding. This enabled workers to discover valuable paintings that had been hidden within the walls.
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