Sansepolcro

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Sansepolcro-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Sansepolcro
region = Tuscany
province = Arezzo (AR)
elevation_m = 330
area_total_km2 = 91.48
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 15923
population_density_km2 = 172
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|43|34|N|12|09|E
frazioni = Aboca, Gragnano, Gricignano, Melello, Montagna, Santa Fiora
telephone = 0575
postalcode = 52037
gentilic = Biturgensi
saint = St. John the Evangelist
day = December 27
mayor = Franco Polcri (since 2006-06-12)
website = [http://www.sansepolcro.net www.sansepolcro.net]

Sansepolcro (former Borgo Santo Sepolcro), is a town and commune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo.

Situated on the Tiber river, it was the birthplace of the painters Piero della Francesca, Raffaellino del Colle (a pupil of Raphael) and Angiolo Tricca. It was also the birthplace of the Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli.

Economy is based on agriculture. Industry includes manufacturing, food processing and pharmaceutics. It is the home of Buitoni pasta which was founded by Giulia Buitoni in 1827.

History

According to the tradition, the town was founded around 1000 AD by two pilgrims (Arcanus and Aegidius), who founded here an oratory (where now is the Cathedral) during their homecoming from the Holy Land. First historical mentions are slightly later, referring the the Benedictine Abbey built in that period. The historical centre Sansepolcro reached its current size around 1400, and in 1500 received its walls by Giuliano da Sangallo. The city was ruled by the Milan, the Malatesta Family, and then by Florence.

Sansepolcro escaped artillery fire during World War 2 because the British captain charged with the task had read the essay by Aldous Huxley which described The Resurrection by Piero Della Francesca housed in the Museo Civico as "the greatest painting in the world". Captain Antony Clarke had never seen the painting but at the last moment (shelling had already begun)remembered where he had heard of Sansepolcro and ordered his men to stop. A message receieved later informed them that the Germans had already retreated from the area - the bombardment hadn't been necessary and the town, along with its famous painting survived.

Diocese

A Roman Catholic diocese was erected here in 1515 [ [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02686b.htm Borgo San-Sepolcro] - Catholic Encyclopedia article] . It was united in 1986 into the diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro. [ [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ds201.html Diocese of Sansepolcro (Borgo San Sepolcro)] - [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/ catholic-hierarchy.org] ]

Main sights

Aldous Huxley described the "Resurrection" by Piero della Francesca which is in the Museo Civico as "the greatest painting in the world". It also houses other work by Piero della Francesca and by Santi di Tito, Raffaellino del Colle and Luca Signorelli.

References

ister cities

*flagicon|Switzerland Neuchâtel, Switzerland
*flagicon|France Neuves-Maisons, France
*flagicon|Croatia Sinj, Croatia

External links

* [http://www.sansepolcro.net/ Official website]
* [http://www.paradoxplace.com/Perspectives/Italian%20Images/Montages/Other%20Tuscan%20Towns/Sansepolcro.htm Sansepolcro and the Piero della Francesca Trail (with lunch)]