CAPRANICA, THE VILLAGE DOMINATING THE ANCIENT VIA CASSIA

Located on a tuffaceous rock shaped like a donkey’s back, Capranica extends between the Cimini Mountains and the Sabatini Hills, and is known as the village of waters, appreciated by Petrarch during his stay in 1337 as a guest of Orso Anguillara.

The village dominating the ancient Via Cassia

An ideal destination for those who want to discover or rediscover Tuscia, between history and tradition. Walking through the streets of the ancient village, you breathe in an evocative atmosphere, halfway between past and present. The urban layout is divided into three zones: the ancient part, with the old Anguillara castle, the Renaissance zone, and the new zone outside the walls.

Rural and town churches with ancient charm populate the village. One of the most renowned is the neoclassical Church of Santa Maria (designed by Vespignani in 1867), which houses inside it the statue of the Madonna delle Grazie from 1080, a precious 12th-13th century painting with the Benedicent Savior, a 15th-century marble tabernacle (recently attributed to Michelangelo), and a 15th-16th century triptych. Also worth visiting is the Cathedral of San Giovanni, originally from the 16th century. Reconstructed in the 18th century while preserving the original Romanesque spire bell tower, it houses a Renaissance marble tabernacle, a majestic organ, and a wooden crucifix from the 16th century.

In the Romanesque Church of San Francesco, you can find the beautiful marble tomb of the twins Francesco and Nicola Anguillara, attributed to the artist Paolo Romano.

Just outside the town center is the Church of Santa Maria del Piano, where you can admire wooden ceilings and some valuable frescoes attributed to the Zuccari brothers. The beautiful façade is attributed to Vignola, who was very active in Tuscia and in the possessions of the noble Farnese family.

A small and humble countryside church stands where the ancient Via Cassia and the Via Francigena once crossed paths: the Church of Madonna delle Grazie. Over the centuries, it was expanded to offer refuge to travelers and pilgrims crossing Tuscia, becoming an important place of prayer along the route leading to Rome.

Isolated from the town is the Church of San Terenziano, the patron saint of Capranica. The little church features 15th and 16th-century frescoes, with the figure of the patron saint in the center.

Events in Capranica

There are several events and festivities related to the village’s traditions and gastronomy, starting with the “Sagra degli Gnocchi e Strozzapreti”, accompanied by excellent sweet wine; the Hunter’s Festival where you can taste typical local dishes; the Feast of Madonna delle Grazie in May, and the Procession of Cocciarelle (candles) in September, which takes place to celebrate the birth of the Madonna.