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Casperia

"Casperia is one of those miraculous places whose transition from rural to urban civilization has happened without destructing the past". (Paolo Guzzanti)

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Population

1.242

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Area

25,35 km²

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Altitude

397 m

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Where is it?

About 40 minutes drive from Rieti, Casperia is one of the most beautiful ancient villages in Central Italy, Populated by 1,257 people, it is located between the river Tiber and the Monti Sabini. Its territory, including a hilly area, to the west, and a mountainous area, to the east, is crossed by the ridge of the pre-Apennines of Latium. Its historic center rises at 397 m. above sea level, but the municipal area also includes reliefs ranging over 1,200 meters, such as Monte Alto, one of the highest peaks of the Monti Sabini.

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Its origins?

The village of Casperia has mythological origins and is mentioned, in ancient times, by Virgilio (Aeneid) and other famous writers such as Silio Italico, Vibio Sequestre and Mauro Servio Onorato, however it is quite difficult to give an exact historical location of its origins. Rustic villas and Roman settlements have been found in the area of Paranzano and Legarano, but the village of Aspra - this was the name of Casperia until 1947 - was built in the 10th century a.C. Between the 13th and the 14th centuries, it was considered as one of the most powerful communities of Sabina then, and after becoming a fief of the Savelli family until 1501, Pope Alexander IV yelded it to the Orsini family. The property was held for a couple of years and in 1503, after the Pope’s death, it returned to the Savelli until 1592, when it passed under the direct domination of the Apostolic Chamber. In 1816, the municipality became part of the delegation of Rieti and in 1870, at the birth of the Kingdom of Italy, Casperia was annexed to the province of Rome, before becoming part of the newly established province of Rieti

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What to see?

The Italian Touring Club has recently awarded Casperia the prestigious title of “Bandiera Arancione” (Orange Flag) as one of the most beautiful and well preserved ancient villages in Central Italy. Inside the historic center cars are not admitted and visitors can only access to it on foot, through Porta Romana to the west, and Porta Reatina, better known as Porta Santa Maria, to the northeast, famous for its 6-hours clock still perfectly working. Walkiing around the village, from the terrace of Piazza Umberto I, visitors can admire the breathtaking panorama of the Sabina territory, the Tiber valley, the Umbrian hills to the north-west and the Monti Sabini to the south-east. On the top of the village stands the parish church, dedicated to St. Juan the Baptist, which preserves the 13th century bell tower and some frescoes of the 14th century. Visitors arriving in Casperia by car are welcomed by the Baroque Church of the Santissima Annunziata, an imposing brick construction whose portal shows the date of 1609, even though the church was completed in 1661. The 16th century Palazzo Forani, standing in the northern part of the walled enclosure, was built by the Orsini feudal family and the Bruschi family. In their homage at the side of the portal of the building, there are two stone bears. The palace, whose main door is decorated with two stone bears, counts over fifty rooms and a chapel. During the Napoleonic domination it was renovated following the Empire Style and decorated with rich stuccoes, painted walls, and vaulted galleries. Also worth seeing is the “Leccio di Aspra”, a holm oak located in a private garden that, with its 18 meters of height and 300 years of life, represents a superb evergreen, standing out in the Sabina sky.