In terms of art, the devastation will probably affect the region's Romanesque and other medieval architecture most severely -- castles, towers, churches, monasteries and the like, dating from the 11th to the 14th centuries -- rather than its painting and sculpture.
The Renaissance centralized artistic activity in metropolitan centers, drawing regional artists to cities such as Florence, Rome and Venice. L'Aquila's most well-known Renaissance feature is the facade of San Bernardino church, with an altarpiece by Andrea della Robbia; the church steeple has reportedly been damaged, but the full status of the building and its interior after the quake is not yet known.
In addition to archaeological and other artifacts, the city's National Museum of Abruzzo contains medieval works from surrounding towns and villages. Most were gathered there over the years as earthquakes in the unstable hill towns ravaged the region's churches. Housed in a former castle, the museum had been closed for renovation.
