Sansepolcro - Birthplace of Piero della Francesca, Arezzo, Tuscany
Sansepolcro is in the high valley of the Tiber, at the foot of the Appennines, the last edge of Tuscan land between Emilia Romagna, Marche and Umbria. Some people take its origins back to a Roman camp. According to legend, it was founded by two pilgrims, Egidio and Arcano, who stopped here on their return from the Holy Land.
It is thus the name of Sansepolcro is explained.
Originally it was a fiefdom of the monastic order of the Camaldolesi and was, unusually, for those time, a totally independent city founded. However, it subsequently became the domain of the Malatestas, the Medecis and finally the Lorenas.
Pope Leo X then gave it the title of City and made it a bishopric in 1570. Sansepolcro is above all the City of Piero della Francesca. In the museum are preserved some of his most important works: "The Resurrection"; the polyptych of the "Madonna della Misericorida"; the "San Guiliano" and the "San Lodovico".
At Monterchi maybe see the beautiful "Madonna del Parto". In the museum there are also on show many works of art by important artists, among them the Albertis, the Della Robbias, Matteo di Giovanni, Perugina, Pontormo and Luca Signorelli.
Of particular interest in the room displaying carved stone-work, is an impressive original Romanesque frieze.
In Sansepolcro were born not only important artists but also influential men of intellect such as Dionigio Roberti, teacher of Petrarch, and men of science such as Luca Pacioli, renowned mathematician and Nicolo Aggiunti, disciple of Galileo.
Sansepolcro is also the city of the Palio of the Crossbow and the ancient games of flag-waving.
The historic center is a fascinating example of stone-built towers, the splendid Medici Fortress of Giuliano of San Gallo, the many palazzos of noble families, the surrounding city walls all bear witness to those times. Worthy of notice are the Gothic church of San Francesco and the Romanesque cathedral, both with their characteristic bell-towers. Other important churches are the "Servi di Maria", the "Madonna delle Grazie" and the "San Rocco" all adorned with beautiful works of art. The church of "San Lorenzo" is the custodian of a "Deposition" by Rosso Fiorentino.
The Tiber Valley and the Appennines forming as they do a wide and picturesque amphitheater from La Verna to the source of the Tiber itself to Montecasale, refuge of St. Francis, provide unspoiled scenery of rare natural beauty. Of interest nearby are Monterchi, Anghiari, Caprese Michelangelo, Pieve Santo Stefano, Badia Tedalda and Sestino.
In Sansepolcro, the tradition of craftsmanship lives on: especially in the making of exquisite lace, fine jewelry and the Italian crossbow.
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