Paganica

Paganica
The main square and the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Paganica
The main square and the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Paganica
Paganica is located in Italy
Paganica
Paganica
Location of Paganica in Italy
Coordinates: 42°21′34″N 13°28′13″E / 42.35944°N 13.47028°E / 42.35944; 13.47028
CountryItaly
Region Abruzzo
ProvinceL'Aquila (AQ)
ComuneL'Aquila
Elevation
669 m (2,195 ft)
Population
 (December 31, 2009)
 • Total9,873
DemonymPaganichesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
67100
Dialing code0862
WebsiteOfficial website

Paganica is a hillside town in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. located at 669 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Gran Sasso d'Italia, about 7 kilometers east of the historic center, along the state road 17 bis that from Bazzano climbs to Campo Imperatore passing for Tempèra, Camarda, Assergi and Fonte Cerreto, with a population of about 10 000 inhabitants, making it the largest fraction of the city, as well as of considerable economic importance. It is a frazione of the comune of L'Aquila (which is some 7 km far), and has a population of about 5,000.

On April 6, 2009, the center was hit by a disastrous earthquake which caused heavy damage to the town (including a burst water pipe, which caused a landslide), resulting in an almost total evacuation. In 2011 the restoration works began, which have recovered part of the historical heritage, and the influx of the population.