Palazzo Margherita – a historic and institutional landmark of Abruzzo

History and description

Located in the heart of L’Aquila, Palazzo Margherita traces its origins back to the 13th century, when it was built as the Palazzo del Capitano, seat of the Regia Curia and the city’s civil and judicial power. Equipped with prisons in the underground levels and a chapel dedicated to the Madonna degli Angeli, the palace represented the administrative center of medieval L’Aquila. In the 16th century, during the governorship of Margaret of Austria—daughter of Charles V and governor of Abruzzo between 1572 and 1586—the palace underwent a major renovation. Architect Geronimo Pico Fonticulano was commissioned to transform the old Palazzo del Capitano into a Renaissance residence suitable for new representative functions. The complex was expanded and integrated with the civic tower, also dating back to the 13th century and still visible today. Over the centuries, the palace changed its function several times, becoming the Town Hall in 1968, before being damaged by the earthquake of April 6, 2009. After a long restoration, begun in 2017 and largely completed in 2023, Palazzo Margherita has once again become the seat of the Municipality and a symbol of the city’s rebirth. The civic tower, however, is still undergoing consolidation works. Inside, the palace preserves historic rooms, large ceremonial halls, the chapel decorated with frescoes of L’Aquila’s patron saints, and architectural elements dating back to both the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Curiosities

Beyond being a symbol of civic power, Palazzo Margherita is renowned for housing the chapel of the Madonna degli Angeli, once used for the last rites of the condemned. According to tradition, it also safeguarded the Bolla del Perdono of Pope Celestine V, linked to the Perdonanza Celestiniana. Although now preserved elsewhere, this document was historically associated with the building.

Access

Open only on special occasions, the palace is usually accessible free of charge.

How to reach it

Located in the historic center of L’Aquila, in Piazza Palazzo, just a few steps from Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the palace is easily reachable by car via the A24 motorway (L’Aquila Est exit) and then continuing toward the center. Alternatively, it is served by city buses (lines M6, M13, M15) with stops near the square.

Palazzo Margherita is an authentic symbol of L’Aquila, an extraordinary example of civic architecture and history: visiting it means discovering the city’s deepest roots.

Photo credits: Lasacrasillaba (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 3.0