Province of L'Aquila is the mountainous, less densely populated western half of the Abruzzo region of Italy. The province is known for its many castles, fortresses and pristine medieval hill towns,and is popular with domestic visitors.

Map of L'Aquila (province)

• 41.85457114.1990071 Ateleta — part of the Alto Sangro mountain community and the Cinquemiglia plateau
• 42.03097513.4263722 Avezzano — an excellent starting point to reach the numerous mountain locations of Marsica
• 42.24399713.6576193 Bominaco — a very small mediaeval village of fewer than a hundred inhabitants in the mountains of L’Aquila, it is of great interest for its religious artistic heritage
• 42.02472213.8622224 Bugnara — a small village perched on the side of the mountain with a picturesque mediaeval centre
• 42.3654413.725925 Castel del Monte — a mediaeval and Renaissance hill town that is one of "the most beautiful villages of Italy"
• 42.06194413.60256 Cerchio — it has one of the largest museums in the area
• 42.00833313.8991677 Introdacqua — the "town built between the waters" stands on a hill located at the confluence of two valleys
• 41.77777813.838 Opi — a medieval tourist tourist centre, 7 km from the Macchiarvana cross-country ski trails
• 42.0504313.991519 Pacentro — a town with a castle the Maiella national park, it is member of "the most beautiful villages in Italy"
• 42.35400813.39199210 L'Aquila — a small, pleasant city surrounded by high mountains, known for its 99 churches and squares
• 42.34266413.64596711 Santo Stefano di Sessanio — a village with a preserved medieval character
• 41.90264213.87989412 Scanno — a village that is part of the most beautiful villages in Italy
• 42.04802513.92619813 Sulmona — a secluded small city surrounded by imposing mountains close to the ski resorts of Roccaraso and the beaches around Pescara

There are three national parks and one regional nature park in or partly in the province. The national parks are:

• Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park)
• Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park)
• Parco Nazionale della Majella (Majella National Park)

The regional park is:

• Parco regionale naturale del Sirente - Velino (Sirente - Velino Regional Natural Park)

L'Aquila includes the highest mountains of the Apennines (Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente), their highest peak, Corno Grande, the high plain of Campo Imperatore, and Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone.

• Abbey of Santa Maria di Collemaggio (in L' Aquila). One of the symbols of the city and one of the most beautiful churches in the region; severely damaged by an earthquake, it is undergoing major restoration work.
• Spanish Fort (in L' Aquila). A mighty 16th-century fortress, it houses the National Museum of Abruzzo editChurch of San Bernardino (in L' Aquila). Built in the 15th century, it dominates from a high staircase; wonderfully recovered after the damages of the earthquake, it is once again accessible.
• Church of Santa Maria (in Bominaco). A Romanesque building of great interest, it was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and preserves capitals, ambo, ciborium and paschal candelabrum.
• Church of San Pellegrino (in Bominaco). It is a Romanesque-style building dating back to 1263 with a three-arched portico; the interior is completely covered with Byzantine frescoes. edit

Skiing and winter sports in Campo Imperatore. In Assergi there are ski lifts that take you to Campo Imperatore.