Earthquake near Rome

Maggie,

I understand that Rome is only about 70 miles away from the epicenter. Sometimes earthquakes strike soon after or before the big one. For sure I would stay awat from L'Aquila, but not sure about Rome.

Yes, this is very sad, and the death and injury toll continues to rise.

I am trying to contact anyone that I have emailed in the past to extend my thoughts and prayers. I pray that the worst is over
pat

Are you saying they are advising travellers to stay away from Rome or from the actual area of the earthquake?

Visiting Rome would not be an issue, and in general, L'Aquila is out of the main stream of tourist traffic from Rome, typically most go North with another large contingent South, but few go east/northeast. So as long as your travels do not go in that direction, carry-on.

From what I've read and been told by friends in Rome the Freeway from Rome to L'Aquila has been reopened. I also read on Italian news sites that no monuments or sites aside from the Baths of Caracalla were damaged in Rome. But every monument and church in L'Aquila has sustained significant damage. The state department website discourages travel to L'Aquila but does not mention any of the major tourist sites or cities.