Chiesa di San Pietro a Coppito

San Pietro a Coppito stands on one of L'Aquila's medieval squares, its entrance flanked by two ancient stone lions. The church preserves the identity of the community that came from Coppito during the city's foundation.

Why it matters

Like other Aquilan churches established by surrounding settlements, San Pietro carried a local name and religious tradition into the new city. Its medieval history and later restorations show how that identity persisted through repeated destruction and rebuilding.

What to notice

The portal relief depicts Christ and the Apostles, with a round window and carved architectural fragments above. The octagonal bell tower is another prominent medieval feature. The lions were placed at the entrance in the nineteenth century and are traditionally linked with Amiternum. Surviving wall paintings include images of the Virgin with the dead Christ.

Context and history

The church developed in the thirteenth century and was rebuilt following the destruction of the young city in 1259. After later earthquake damage, alterations changed its appearance. Restoration in 1969–1971 reassembled a medieval-style facade using surviving elements, rather than simply exposing an untouched original. Further major repairs followed the earthquake of 2009, with the church returned to the community in June 2024.