L'Aquila in cartolina III

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2BA91964BF34ED35
Cartoline della città dell'Aquila dal 1970 al 1990.
Postcards of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy (1970 to 1990).
Music: Michel Petrucciani.
The city's construction was begun by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily out of several already existing villages (ninety-nine, according to local tradition; see Amiternum), as a bulwark against the power of the papacy. The name of Aquila means "Eagle" in Italian. Construction was completed in 1254 under Frederick's son, Conrad IV of Germany. The name was switched to Aquila degli Abruzzi in 1861, and L'Aquila in 1939. After the death of Conrad, the city was destroyed by his brother Manfred in 1259, but soon rebuilt by Charles I of Anjou, its successor as king of Sicily. The walls were completed in 1316.
Earthquakes mark the history of L'Aquila, as the city is situated partially on an ancient lake-bed that amplifies seismic activity.

The city was struck by an earthquake on December 3, 1315. Another earthquake struck on January 22, 1349, killing about 800 people. Other earthquakes struck in 1452, then on November 26, 1461, and again in 1501 and 1646. On February 3, 1703 a major earthquake struck the town. More than 6.000 people died and almost all the churches collapsed; Rocca Calascio, the highest fortress in Europe was also ruined by this event, yet the town survived. L'Aquila was then repopulated by decision of Pope Clement XI. The town was rocked by earthquake again in 1706, on July 31, 1786, on June 26, 1958 an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude struck the town.

On April 6, 2009, at 01:32 GMT (03:32 CEST) an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck central Italy with its epicentre near L'Aquila. Many buildings in L'Aquila were damaged. Italian media reports confirmed that many historic buildings collapsed in the centre of the city, and at least 308 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and 60,000 homeless have been reported. There were many students trapped in a partially collapsed dormitory.

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