L'Aquila, the city devastated by the massive earthquake that struck Italy's central Abruzzo region almost 15 years ago, has been announced as Italian Capital of Culture 2026. Shortlisted towns and cities vying for the coveted title presented their bids to a jury last week, with the winning candidate for the prestigious recognition unveiled by Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on Thursday.

L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, saw off competition from the other nine finalists: Agnone (Isernia), Alba (Cuneo), Gaeta, Latina, Lucera (Foggia), Maratea (Potenza), Rimini, Treviso, and the Unione dei Comuni Valdichiana Senese (Siena).