Caprarola
Welcome to Caprarola, the municipality with the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club
Hello everyone, today I will take you on a journey to discover Caprarola, a municipality located in the province of Viterbo, in Lazio. With its 5,193 inhabitants, Caprarola is a charming place that can boast the "Orange Flag" tourist and environmental quality label awarded by the Touring Club Italiano.
Discovering Caprarola's territory
Its geographic location
Caprarola is located east of Lake Vico, on the southern slope of the Cimini Mountains. The municipality is situated between two important consular roads, now turned into state roads, the Via Flaminia and the Via Cassia. It sits on a tufaceous spur and is home to Mount Fogliano. In 1995, the School of Architecture of Prince Charles of England conducted a study on the beauty of the places.
The climate
Caprarola falls into zone E with 2,343 GR/G climatic classification.
A brief history of Caprarola
Despite being immersed in the ancient territory of the Etruscan civilization, Caprarola has more recent roots. The first information on stable settlements dates back to the 11th century because the Cimini Mountains, formerly called "Selva Cimina", were impassable territories. During the Middle Ages, Caprarola was disputed by several feudal families. In 1275, the Orsini acquired power for a short time, immediately replaced by the Prefects of Vico. In 1370, the Holy See gained control of Caprarola, after a long struggle against the Counts of Anguillara.
In 1440, Count Everso dell'Anguillara acquired the fief, but in 1465, Pope Paul II confiscated all their assets. Towards the end of the 15th century, Caprarola came under the control of the Riario-Della Rovere, under whose government the country populated and flourished. It was in the 16th century that Caprarola reached its maximum splendor: the Farnese, with the appointment of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese to Pope Paul III and the establishment of the Duchy of Castro, significantly extended their dominion by building sumptuous villas and castles.
Monuments and places of interest in Caprarola
Caprarola represents one of the most significant urban scenarios of the 16th century. The ancient medieval village was razed to the ground to make way for a spectacular straight road that rises up to the imposing Farnese Palace. Built in the second half of the 16th century, the Farnese Palace is the main monument of Caprarola and was the symbol of power and wealth of the family.
Furthermore, I recommend a visit to the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Founded in the 12th century, it was part of the network of Benedictine monasteries that circumscribed the territory of the Cimini Mountains. The monastery offers visitors the opportunity to admire examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
For lovers of sacred art, the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi is worth a visit. Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, the church houses a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and frescoes.
Finally, do not forget to take a stroll in Bramante Park. Built in the 1500s by the architect Donato Bramante, the park is one of the main attractions of Caprarola and offers a panoramic view of Lake Vico.
Conclusions
In summary, Caprarola is an Italian municipality rich in history and culture. Thanks to its geographic location, it offers visitors spectacular views and a wide range of monuments and places of interest. Do not miss the opportunity to visit Caprarola, the municipality with the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club!
