Inhabitants in 1991: 1,071
The
Municipal territory of Caprese Michelangelo in the Val Tiberina
extends for 66,75 square kilometres, occupying the high basin of the stream
Singerna, right-hand tributary of the Tevere, and an ample mountain basin,
closed to the west by the woody slopes of the Alpe di Catenaia. A Feudal
centre and therefore Podesta office, became community in 1776.
The first document which records Caprese is from 967 and is the
concession of the feudal title, by Ottone I to his vassal Goffredo di
Ildebrando of a large territory (the so called Massa Verona) also comprising
Caprese. It subsequently belonged to the Lords of Galbino, under the
protection of the Abbey of Camaldoli, which during the course of the
XII century acquired more extensive jurisdiction of the castle, with the
agreement of the local dynasty and the Emperors Federico I and Arrigo
VI. But towards 1260 the interests of the feudal Lords clashed with
those of the Guidi di Romena, who at that moment virtually dominated
Caprese until 1323, when the fortress was besieged and dominated by Guido
Tarlati Bishop of Arezzo ;
it remained under the Tarlati until 1363, the year in which Caprese fell
under the dominion of Perugia, who retained it until 1384, when it
definitively became the possession of the Fiorentina Republic, who
made it a Podesta office (including Chiusi della Verna). Caprese saw
the birth of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), and in recent times
to honour his memory, they added the name of the artist to their place
name.
Places to visit :
The Castle, 1300s construction, the recently restored remains
now hold the museum which contains plaster moulds by Michelangelo
and sculptures by modern artists.
The house of the Podestà birth place of Michelangelo,
1300 building with coats of arms on the facade. |
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford
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