In 2026, a new initiative of the è cultura! Festival launches, designed to foster an increasingly strong dialogue between local areas and the communities that safeguard their cultural heritage.
Starting with L’Aquila—the Italian Capital of Culture 2026—the Festival is embarking on a journey destined to evolve over the years alongside the cities named Capitals of Culture, highlighting their identities, histories, landmarks, and key figures.
For the edition dedicated to L’Aquila, the Festival has established partnerships with major local and regional organizations—including the Bank of Italy, BPER, Fondazione Carispaq, the National Museum of Abruzzo (MUNDA), and ADSI Abruzzo (Italian Historic Houses Association)—which will help create a widespread itinerary spanning the city’s symbolic sites and heritage.
From October 16 to 25, 2026, the è cultura! meets L’Aquila Capital week will offer guided tours, special openings, educational activities, and opportunities for discovery tailored to residents, families, schools, and visitors.
The opening day is scheduled for October 16 at the Fondazione Carispaq Auditorium.
From October 20 to 24, the National Museum of Abruzzo will invite the public to rediscover the precious Gonfalone (ceremonial banner) of the City of L’Aquila—restored following the 2009 earthquake thanks to the contribution of the Italian Banking Association and banks participating in the culture working group.
For the first time, visitors will be able to view the banner during guided tours hosted at the city’s Castello cinquecentesco. The conservation work on the Gonfalone (ceremonial banner) was carried out between 2014 and 2015 by conservators from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in the Fortezza da Basso laboratories.
The project aimed to address the extensive lifting of the red fabric—specifically where there were gaps in the support structure added during an earlier restoration by the Central Institute for Restoration (ICR) between 1983 and 1985.
The main challenges involved in treating this work stemmed from the inherent fragility of its constituent materials and its massive size; these factors made every aspect of handling extremely delicate, requiring meticulous planning down to the smallest detail.
Free guided tours for groups of up to 25 people will take place on the following dates:
October 20, 2026: 11:00 am, 4:30 PM, and 5:30 pm
October 21, 2026: 11:00 am, 4:30 PM, and 5:30 pm
October 22, 2026: 11:00 am, 4:30 PM, and 5:30 pm
October 23, 2026: 11:00 am
October 24, 2026: 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm
Reservations
Reservations are required and can be made at: www.coopculture.it/it/prodotti/il-gonfalone-della-citta-dellaquila/
