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L'Aquila or L'Aquila degli Abruzzi[lA´kwElA dA´lyE AbrOOt´tsE] Pronunciation Key, city (1991 pop. 66,813), capital of L'Aquila prov. and of Abruzzi, central Italy, on the Pescara River. It is an agricultural and industrial center, and a summer resort. A motorway that connects it with Rome is being extended to the Adriatic coast. Manufactures include building materials, machinery, and electronic equipment. L'Aquila is situated at the foot of the Gran Sasso d'Italia mountain group and is a popular base for mountain climbing. Built around a castle (13th–16th cent.), it rose to importance in the 13th cent. and later became the second city of the kingdom of Naples. However, the city's influence declined during the wars of the 16th cent. Despite several devastating earthquakes L'Aquila has retained its medieval fortifications and a number of impressive old buildings, including St. Bernardino's Basilica (15th–16th cent.). There is a university in the city.
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