Rectorate Building
All of our meetings will be held at the Rectorate building (Palazzo Camponeschi, Piazza Santa Margherita n.2, L’Aquila).
“Luigi Zordan” Congress Center
Located within the San Basilio Monastery in the historic center of L’Aquila, the facility is designed to host conferences, concerts, exhibitions, and major events organized by the University of L’Aquila, as well as by private and public entities upon request.
Address: Piazza San Basilio 1, 67100 – L’Aquila
History & Restoration
The first records of a religious settlement date back to the late 5th century, and the first layout of the monastery can reliably be traced to the 12th century. The complex lived its most prosperous periods as the seat of the Celestine Benedictine Nuns. The cloister’s design belongs to the 15th century. In the 17th century, the Benedictines were replaced by the Celestines, and it was during this period that the complex underwent substantial modification, assuming the character that distinguishes it today. The 1703 earthquake damaged the monastery, and the design of the new building on the square—currently housing the main part of the Congress Center—dates to the post-earthquake reconstruction.
After being used as a girls’ boarding school and requisitioned for military purposes, the 18th-century wing was used as a school in the post-war period. In 1993, the University of L’Aquila signed an agreement with the Municipality of L’Aquila for its institutional use. In 2005-2006, Prof. Luigi Zordan drafted the transformation project. Following his premature passing, the Center was dedicated to him. After the 2009 earthquake, the Congress Center was restored and fully reopened in 2024, equipped with modern technology to serve as a major hub for the entire city.
Services
- Reception
- Secretariat Office
- Technical Staff
- Coffee Break Bar
- Cloakroom
Technical Description
The Center is equipped with audiovisual and IT systems allowing rooms to function independently or interconnected via AV Over IP technology. It supports remote speaker interaction, videoconferences, and live web streaming on the UnivAQ E-Learning YouTube channel. Two control rooms manage all cameras and desk computers. Event organizers can handle their own slides or rely on full/partial assistance from the control room.
Spaces & Rooms
Sala San Basilio
Ground floor • ~125 sqm • Up to 70 people
Sala Vincenzo Rivera (Aula Magna)
2nd floor • ~340 sqm • Up to 220 people
Meeting Room (Sala Riunioni)
Located on the 2nd floor.
Rooms A, B, and C
1st floor layouts:
| Room | Area | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| A | ~32 sqm | 16 seats |
| B | ~38 sqm | 25 seats |
| C | ~42 sqm | 25 seats |
Rocco Genovese Permanent Exhibition
The premises host a permanent exhibition dedicated to Rocco Genovese (Trapani, 1925 – Rome, 1981), a prominent figure in Italian abstract art. His works here (on multi-year loan from his heirs) include wooden sculptures from 1972-1979, photographic collages, and ballpoint pen drawings.
This collection joins his presence in major Italian venues like MACRO in Rome, Gallery of Modern Art in Cento, and others. Genovese was part of the Origine Group (1951), directed “Artivisive” (1958), and exhibited at the Rome Quadriennale (1973) and “Volterra ’73”.
Learn more: Rocco Genovese Archive | Quadriennale Library Archive
How to get to L’Aquila
Flights & Airports
Airports of Rome Fiumicino (all destinations) and Rome Ciampino (Bratislava, Prague).
Gaspari Bus & Flixbus
- From the airports, connections are managed by Gaspari bus.
- We advise booking in advance.
- The fixed cost of a ticket is around 20,00 EUR.
- Please note that on Sundays the schedule is reduced to 4 connections a day instead of 5.
- Fiumicino is also connected to L’Aquila by Flixbus.
…I’m in L’Aquila. What now?
You can move around the city centre by walking, by bus, or by taxi.
Public Buses
- Urban buses routes are available on GoogleMaps and on the A.M.A. website.
- Please note that you cannot buy a bus ticket directly on board directly from the driver or the machine;
- you can buy a paper one at any “Tabacchi” shop, or you can download the app MooneyGo and buy an electronic ticket.
- Alternatively, you can buy a ticket on your smartphone using the DropTicket app.
Taxis
- The number to book a Taxi is +39 086225165.
- Taxi services are available from 7 am to midnight:
- outside of this timeframe, taxis must be booked in advance.
Accommodation Options
We suggest choosing a hotel or B&B that is situated in the city centre, in order to reach the venue by walking. Click on an image below to search for booking availability.
Hotel Castello
Hotel Federico II
Piazza del Mercato
B & B Piazza Angioina
GALA Conf 2026 