Bracciano

Bracciano is a common of the Province of Rome in the Latium in Italy.

Geography

Bracciano is located at 280 m of altitude on south-western bank of the Lac of Bracciano, formed by the old Sabatino volcano. It is located at 30 km in the North-West of Rome and at 30 km in the east of Civitavecchia, in the province of the Latium.

History

We do not have unquestionable information as for the origin of Bracciano. Most probably, it was about a castle set up along the layout of a secondary branch of the Via Claudia, around one of the fortresses or the turns which the lords of the 10th century built to deny themselves the invasions of the Sarrasins. The name even of Castrum Brachiani which is quoted in the rare and incomplete documents of this time, testifies to the military origin of the place.

At the 11th century, the neighbouring territory is acquired by the family of the Prefetti di Vico which transforms the tower into castle. Ferdinand Gregorovius went back the possession to Bracciano by the Orsini with 1234. The area becomes then the property of the Romain Hospital of the Holy Spirit de Sassia and, then, in 1375, it becomes papal possession .

In 1419 the Pope Martin V yields the stronghold of Bracciano to the Orsini of the branch of Tagliacozzo. Under the direction of this powerful family, the city develops downtown flourishing, known in all Italy for its castle which is increased as of 1470 by Napoleone Orsini then his/her son Virginio. In 1481 it shelters the Pope Sixte IV which fled the Peste which strikes Rome. The Sala Papalina in one of the turns commemorates this event. Four years later, however, the castle is devastated by the papal troops ordered by Prospero Colonna. Thereafter, a new line of ramparts is built around the castle and of the convent of Santa Maria Novella (at that time outside the city).

In 1494, Charles VIII and its troops which go on Rome make halt with Bracciano, which led to the excommunication of Orsini. In 1496 the city, besieged by the papal army carried out by Giovanni di Candia, wire of the Pope Alexandre VI Borgia, resists victoriously. Cesare Borgia, one of the others natural wire of Alexandre will also fail in his attempt to take the fortified town of Orsini later a few years. The 16th century is the period of the splendor of Bracciano. In 1558 celebrates it Paolo Giordano I Orsini, wife Isabella de' Medici, girl of Cosme Ier Grand Duke of Tuscany and receives the title of duke of Bracciano. The economy is reinforced, thanks to the exploitation of the Soufre and the Fer, the production of Tapisserie S and paper. The latter is supported by the construction of a Aqueduc whose ruins are always visible in the city. At that time Bracciano counts some 4.500 inhabitants.

However, the way of life of Orsini ends up weakening the local economy. Its large last controlling is undoubtedly Paolo Giordano II, a guard of arts and letters which makes of Bracciano an arts center of Italy. The decline culminates in 1696 when the castle is sold in Livio Odescalchi, nephew of the Pope Innocent XI, the family Odescalchi being besides always owner of the castle.

In the castle richly decorated with frescos on the planks and the ceilings, the white walls appear incongruous, but when the lords of Bracciano resided at it, they were tended of rich person coloured tapestries.

Culture

Monuments and churches

the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, is one of the most remarkable examples of the military architecture of the Italian Renaissance.
the church of San Liberato (9th century) is along the road leading to Trevignano Romano, with the site of the Roman colony of Forum Clodii . it is surrounded by a garden of medicinal herbs, which belong to the gardens to English of the Villa San Librato, drawn by Russell Page in 1965 for the historian of art the count Donato Sanminatelli and the countess, Maria Odescalchi.
the ruins of Aquae Apollinaris formed a famous thermal complex during Roman antiquity.

Museums

With Vigna di Valle is the museum of the Aeronautica Militare Italiana where the historical planes of the Italian air force are exposed, like the MC. 202, the Supermarine Spitfire, the Savoia Marchetti S.79, the F-104 Starfighter or the Panavia Tornado.

Economy

The principal activities of the city are tourism, the services and agriculture.

Until the 20th century the area was unhealthy because of the Malaria which prevailed there but which is now completely éradiquée.

Commemorative event

Festivals, fairs -->

Administration

Hamlets

Manor house Giuliano, Pisciarelli, Sambuco, Vicarello, Vigna di Valle

Communes bordering

Anguillara Sabazia, Bassano Romano, Cerveteri, Manziana, Oriolo Romano, Sutri, Tolfa, Trevignano Romano

Twinnings

Photograph gallery

External bonds

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See too

Lake Bracciano

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