Capestrano
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| Capestrano | |
|---|---|
| — Comune — | |
| Comune di Capestrano | |
  Capestrano
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| Coordinates: 42°16′10″N 13°46′0″E / 42.26944°N 13.766667°ECoordinates: 42°16′10″N 13°46′0″E / 42.26944°N 13.766667°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Province | L'Aquila (AQ) |
| Frazioni | Capodacqua, Forca di Penne, San Pelagia, Scarafano. |
| Area | |
| - Total | 43.08 km2 (16.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 465 m (1,526 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2007)[1] | |
| - Total | 952 |
| - Density | 22.1/km2 (57.2/sq mi) |
| - Demonym | Capestranesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 67022 |
| Dialing code | 0862 |
| Patron saint | Saint Giovanni da Capistrano |
| Saint day | 23 October |
| Website | Official website |
Capestrano is a comune and small town with 965 inhabitants (2001), in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".
Contents |
[edit] Main sights
[edit] Abbey of St. Peter ad Oratorium
The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter ad Oratorium is situated on the bank of Tirino river, six kilometres far from Capestrano. The church was built in 752 A.C. as part of the monastery of St Vincenzo al Volturno, by the Lombard king Desiderius. The religious building we can admire still today was edified in the XII century. It is a church with a nave, two side aisles and a choir. There is only one entrance door with a lintel decorated with vegetal motif. Onto the romanic portal there are two marble relief with the figures of David and St. Vincent Deacon. The façade has a marble square inscription of the Sator Square in Latin. In the XV century it was abandoned by the monks.
[edit] Piccolomini or Mediceo Castle
The castle was built in the XIII century, on the hill next to the Tirino river and the Abbey of St. Peter ad Oratorium in a strategic position at 505 m on the sea level. The first document of 1284, when King Charles I of Sicily gave the castle to Riccardo d'Acquaviva, marquis of Capestrano. In 1462 the Castle passed on to Marquis Antonio I Todeschini Piccolomini d'Aragona (14? - 1493) nephew of Pope Pius II, which enlarged the castle with new towers with battlements. In 1579 Marquis Costanza Piccolomini daughter of Innico, sold the castle to Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. In 1743 the Castle passed on to Charles III of Spain as Charles 3rd Borbon King of Naples and two Sicilies. In 1860 the Castle passed on to Savoia King of Italy.
[edit] Antiquity
In the necropolis the statue of the "Warrior of Capestrano" (4th century BCE) was found during the work in a field by a farmer. The 2,09 m (6.9 feet) tall statue depicts an early Italic warrior in full gear, the King of the Vestini tribe, Naevius Pompuledius, executed by the sculptor Aninis. Now the statue is on display in the National Archaeological Museum of the Abruzzi in Chieti.
[edit] Notable people
- Saint Giovanni da Capistrano (John of Capistrano), an Italian friar, theologian and inquisitor was born here in 1386.
- The Italian-born American composer Dalmazio Santini (1923-2001) was born in Capestrano.
[edit] Twin Cities
- Buda, Hungary.
- San Juan Capistrano, California
[edit] Photo gallery
 Saint Giovanni da Capistrano convent |
 Capestrano - view of the village |
 Capestrano, view of the village from west |
 Capestrano, view of the village |
 Enigmatic inscription of St Peter ad Oratorium, the Sator Square |
