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Located in the historic part of the city of L'Aquila, about 600 metres from the Spanish Fortress (Forte Spagnolo), the Basilica of San Bernardino is reached via an elegant flight of steps. It was commissioned by the friar Giovanni da Capestrano with the aim of preserving and honouring the relics of Bernardino of Siena, a member of the Order of Friars Minor, who was canonised in 1450. The friars of the convent initially opposed the construction of the basilica; the works were nevertheless completed between 1454 and 1472.
The building was damaged during the earthquake of 1703, but in 1946, thanks to Pope Pius XII, the church was elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica. A further severe earthquake, on 6 April 2009, damaged the altar and partially destroyed the bell tower. Both were reopened on 2 May 2015, following restoration works.
Particularly noteworthy on the exterior is the limestone façade of the church, which remained unfinished and was completely redesigned in 1525 by the artist Nicola Filotesio, also known as "Cola dell'Amatrice". The architectural style of the Minor Basilica of San Bernardino follows the typical model of Abruzzese churches, divided into three horizontal levels, each articulated into three vertical sections by means of columns. The first level features three entrances; the second has two circular openings and a three-light window (trifora); while the third level is dominated by a rose window, flanked by the "Bernardinian trigram JHS" (an abbreviation of Jesus) and a sun with twelve rays.
The interior of the basilica, laid out on a Latin cross plan, comprises three naves and an octagonal space covered by a dome. The second chapel on the right-hand nave houses a splendid terracotta altarpiece by Andrea della Robbia, nephew of the more famous Luca della Robbia. In the last chapel, visitors can admire the imposing marble funerary monument of Saint Bernardino, created by Silvestro di Giacomo da Sulmona (also known as Silvestro dell'Aquila) on commission from the prominent local merchant Jacopo di Notar Nanni.
Upon leaving the basilica, visitors can observe the precious wooden ceiling with gold inlays and the majestic eighteenth-century organ, located near the main entrance.
