The ruins of Alba Fucens, Abruzzo’s most ancient Roman colony (303 B.C.E.), is located in the territory of Massa d’Albe (province of L’Aquila), about 1,000m above sea level, and is set against majestic mount Velino.
Founded by the Aequi in their territory north of lake Fucino, the settlement offered a view of the rising sun over the lake before it was drained in 1876 (which led to the name Alba Fucens). The colony was embellished with numerous buildings include a forum, the amphitheatre, basilica, macellum, thermal bath complex, aqueduct, temples and a vast area surrounded by a portico, the sanctuary to Hercules, which was probably also used as the sheep market. The huge statue of Hercules banqueting found here and attributed to Greek artists is now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Chieti with other artefacts.
The Church of St. Peter, built on the site of an ancient temple to Apollo, celebrating the Rising Sun, stands on a hill that dominates these solemn ruins. In 1915 the church suffered serious earthquake damage. Reconstruction work preserved several original elements such as the column, the ambon, the portal dating to 1130 which features symbols in a spiral, and the anthropomorphic statues on the archivolt. Given its exceptional acoustics, the amphitheatre of Alba Fucens is used today for concerts and live performances.
Film Commission d'Abruzzo
Centro Regionale Beni Culturali - Sulmona
Phone: + 39 0864 576303
Email: crbc@regione.abruzzo.it
