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Abstract: The problem of the restoration and reconstruction of the historic architecture damaged by the earthquake presents a dual set of problems: while guaranteeing the security of what remains and that which will be rebuilt, the historic and built identity of the locations must also be respected. While these are two faces of the same coin, they are not always dealt with in an informed and balanced fashion. Too often the idea that a structural solution should precede and condition the restoration prevails. The array of damages visible today in the city of L’Aquila makes it possible to verify and integrate the architectural knowledge both from the viewpoint of historical understanding of the environment and from that of a correct identification of the structural vulnerability of its buildings. Along these lines the synthetic presentation in this article, which compares data from studies prior to the earthquake with the construction evidence brought to light by the seismic activity, wishes to underline the specific value of historic evidence present in each single past construction choice, in the hope that this recognition will help to pursue the most respectful and enlightened conservation of the historic center.