The municipality of Capranica is perched on a cliff along the Via Francigena del Nord between the Cimini Mountains and the Sabatini Hills. In 1300 Capranica hosted Petrarch as a guest of the Lords of Anguillara.
Capranica VT Rocca Anguillara e Torrione dell’Orologio
Its position as a strategic link between southern and central Etruria made Capranica a crucial junction until the Middle Ages. Capranica was dominated by the Anguillara family from the top of their sumptuous castle next to the Torrione dell’Orologio. The Castle is located in the oldest area, accessed through the Porta del Ponte.
Capranica is in a wooded area rich in water with characteristic 16th-century houses and palaces. There are many churches to visit of great artistic and folkloristic interest. In September, the ‘Processione delle Cocciarelle’ takes place in the Church of the Madonna del Piano, with its façade by Vignola. In the past, vendors of earthenware and terracotta handicrafts would follow one another along the route where the statue of the patron saint San Terenziano still passes.
Capranica VT Processione
The Cathedral of San Giovanni is of 16th-century origin with a Romanesque bell tower. The Duomo has a single nave and was rebuilt in 1700. The cathedral houses a Renaissance tabernacle and a valuable organ. The Procession of the Santissimo Crocifisso with its 16th century wooden statue starts and returns from the Duomo, along the streets of Capranica embellished by the decorations of the Infiorata di Maggio.
Aerial image of the old part of Capranica town in Province of Viterbo, Lazio region
Also not to be missed are the Church of Santa Maria, possibly dating back to 1200, with an original late-Romanesque bell tower, and the Romanesque Church of San Francesco restored by Antonio Muñoz in 1927.
At the table, do not pass up the typical dishes of Capranica, such as spelt polenta with truffles and sweets with hazelnuts. Capranica is in the production area of Tuscia DOP extra virgin olive oil and Colli Cimini IGT wines.