Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Church of San Sisto Courtesy Cammino della Pace

Church of St Sixtus

The Church of San Sisto in L’Aquila, originally located outside the medieval walls near Porta Barete, is now integrated into the modern urban fabric. Known earlier as “San Nicola d’Anza,” the church was situated in the agricultural colony of San Sisto, under the control of the Abbey of Farfa since at least the 9th century. By the 10th century, it became part of the feudal holdings of the abbey’s descendants and later associated with the castle of Coppito.

The current structure is a reconstruction of a small Christian temple from the 12th century, featuring remnants of its earlier Romanesque and medieval roots. The apse retains visible elements dating back to the 8th century, and the church’s existence is documented as early as 1080. The interior showcases frescoes such as The Expulsion from Paradise and The Virgin with Saints Sebastian and Francis of Assisi by Bedeschini, alongside remnants of earlier medieval frescoes.

Historically significant for its connection to the Abbey of Farfa, the church was also used as a hospice by the Friars Minor of the nearby San Giuliano monastery in the 17th century. Richly adorned with paintings over time, it remains an important cultural and artistic landmark in L’Aquila.

This post is also available in: Español Italiano

Leave a Comment