The exhibition “The Visitation in L’Aquila: Raphael and Pontormo” at the National Museum of Abruzzo concludes on September 27, but that will not be the last day to admire Raphael Sanzio’s masterpiece.
The Museo Nacional del Prado has, in fact, agreed to extend the loan of The Visitation until November 3.
The exhibition—part of the celebrations for L’Aquila as the Italian Capital of Culture 2026 and promoted by the Municipality of L’Aquila under the “Restart 2 – Priority C” program—has drawn 33,733 visitors to date, proving to be a unique opportunity to bring one of the city’s most significant Renaissance masterpieces back to the community.
L’Aquila Mayor Pierluigi Biondi stated:
“The extension of the loan for *The Visitation* is excellent news for L’Aquila and further recognition of the quality of the cultural project built around this extraordinary work. We thank the Museo Nacional del Prado for granting this request, allowing the local community, schools, and the many visitors expected in the coming weeks to continue admiring a masterpiece deeply connected to our history. The more than 33,000 admissions recorded confirm culture’s ability to strengthen a community’s identity while simultaneously generating appeal and participation as we move toward L’Aquila 2026.”
Federica Zalabra, Director of the National Museum of Abruzzo (MuNDA), expresses her deep gratitude to Miguel Falomir Faus, Director of the Prado Museum.
“By agreeing to extend the loan of the artwork for another month, the Director has fully grasped the importance this altarpiece holds for the community. Extending its stay allows visitors and the people of L’Aquila to continue admiring a work that is emblematic of their history. To mark the occasion, the Museum has created a special display designed to recreate the original intimate connection between the artwork and the viewer, just as Raphael intended.”
MuNDA has announced a rich program of events and activities to coincide with this exceptional loan extension.
Starting September 28, a series of thematic talks will be held every Monday featuring curators Tom Henry and Federica Zalabra, alongside the scholars who contributed to the exhibition catalog.
Primary and lower secondary schools will have access to the illustrated book La Visitazione va in città. Una passeggiata alla scoperta dell’Aquila (“The Visitation Goes to Town: A Walk to Discover L’Aquila”), a valuable educational tool for exploring the history and locations associated with Raphael’s masterpiece.