L’Aquila earthquake: loss of life and cultural treasures in ‘city of 99 churches’; somber air on Easter

Easter Masses were celebrated in “makeshift” chapels throughout central Italy yesterday. A somber mood predominated on the holy day among survivors of the recent earthquake in L’Aquila. Read this Associated Press article.

In his Easter Sunday message in St. Peter’s Square, in which he spoke of the need for hope around the world during these troubled times, Pope Benedict XVI offered special words and prayers for courage for the quake survivors.

Besides devastating families and communities due to loss of lives and homes, the quake — which claimed 294 lives — demolished cultural treasures. A European Advisory Committee member of nonprofit World Monuments Fund, Duccio Marignoli wrote the following on behalf of the organization:

“The cultural loss to the region has been staggering. Indeed, this has possibly been the most culturally devastating earthquake in Europe since the 17th century, when Lisbon was all but destroyed. L’Aquila, too, has an ancient history, known as the city with 99 churches, 99 squares, and 99 fountains. Today, there is not one of these 99 churches left that is not in a precarious state.”

World Monuments Fund is among those working to help preserve the region’s “cultural heritage” during the recovery efforts. Other organizations fundraising for relief and recovery efforts include the National Italian American Foundation, which is helping victims and their families.

— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: Wedding photos among the ruins of a building that fell in the quake. Credit: Filippo Monteforte / AFP/Getty Images]

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 10:15 am by Susan Derby and is filed under Europe, Italy, News, Tips & Advice, earthquake. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.