Basilica di San Giuseppe Artigiano

The Basilica of San Giuseppe Artigiano stands in L'Aquila's historic centre near the cathedral. Its medieval church, once dedicated to San Biagio d'Amiterno, was restored after the 2009 earthquake and preserves a late-Gothic funerary monument and traces of medieval painting.

Why it matters

A church on the site is documented by 1257. Founded by settlers from Amiternum, it was first dedicated to San Vittorino and later became known as San Biagio d'Amiterno. Its changing names and uses reflect the development of L'Aquila's historic centre over many centuries.

What to notice

The church has a basilican plan with three naves and brick cupolas over the side aisles. Against the left side stands the funerary monument of Pietro Lalle Camponeschi, carved in 1432 by Gualtiero d'Alemagna. Restoration after the 2009 earthquake revealed fragments of medieval frescoes, including a Christ Pantocrator. The church also contains a wooden crucifix and paintings by Giovanni Gasparro commissioned during the restoration.

Context and history

The church was destroyed in 1259 when Manfred's forces razed L'Aquila and rebuilt from 1266. It was damaged again in the 1703 earthquake, then deconsecrated and used for secular purposes. Restoration after the 2009 earthquake began in 2011 and the church returned to the city in 2012 under its present dedication to San Giuseppe Artigiano. The adjacent Oratory of San Giuseppe de' Minimi forms part of the same historic church complex.