Abruzzo earthquake

This item appears on page 19 of the June 2009 issue.

The Abruzzo region of Italy suffered a devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake on April 6, resulting in 289 deaths, tens of thousands homeless and thousands of buildings damaged. Worst hit were L’Aquila, a 13th-century mountain city about 70 miles northeast of Rome, and the surrounding villages; entire medieval towns were flattened.

Among landmark buildings damaged were the Basilica di Santa di Collemaggio and the dome of the Duomo of the Amine Sante in L’Aquila and, in a nearby town, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.