Avezzano 1915. Conoscere e riconoscere una nuova identità

The tragic earthquake of 13th January 1915 is only one of the historical events that during past centuries determined the transformation of settlements in the Marsica, the region surrounding lake Fucino before and after its draining. This area was originally inhabited by the Italic population of Marsi. However, this earthquake generated a major transformation in the Marsican settlements, and in particular in the small town of Avezzano which was heavily damaged due to its vicinity to the epicenter. This dramatic event in Avezzano seems to have definitively interrupted the historical-urban continuity which characterized the identity of such ancient centers. This small town was reconstructed according to the Master Plan dated 13 October 1916 by engineer Sebastiano Bultrini. The new constructions were situated adjacent to the original site which was in turn demolished substantially and rebuilt in a new manner. From that moment on, the town seems to have lost its historical urban and architectural identity. My contribution began after extensive bibliographical-archivistic-iconographical research aimed at identification and cataloging of historical buildings which sprang up during the last decades of 1800 and in particular after the earthquake of 1915. The goal points to identification and knowledge of the architectural character - residential in particular - and of the urban quality of building texture, roads and squares which gave form to the new Avezzano.