Description
The room houses a series of artworks linked by the historical, political and religious significance that Pope Celestine V, formerly known as Pietro da Morrone, has had over the centuries. An expression of his great cultural relevance is the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila, beacon of Christianity for the entire Catholic world. Indeed, in this temple, the saint was crowned pope in 1294, establishing the Perdonanza, and was buried after his canonisation in 1313.
Evidence of this can be seen in the two sculptures of the Madonna and Child Enthroned and Saint Peter Celestine pertaining to Silvestro dell’Aquila’s sphere, the splendid stained glass window with the half-length image of Pope Celestine V, and six drawings by Francesco Bedeschini for the plan of the repository of the saint’s relics in the Basilica of Collemaggio.
The floor features one of the historic maps of L’Aquila, showing the layout of the city before the devastating earthquake of 1703.
