Capranica among churches, palazzi and the Via Francigena

Capranica lies along the northern Via Francigena and combines historic churches, palazzi and memorial sites with a landscape of wooded ravines. This creates a destination where you can discover cultural history, the pilgrimage route and nature in a variety of ways.

Churches, palazzi and memorial sites

In Capranica’s oldest district, the Torrione dell’Orologio stands next to the castle of the Anguillara family. Palazzo Accoramboni was built between 1571 and 1579 to a design by Giacomo del Duca. Its halls are decorated with frescoes and mythological figures. The Chiesa di Santa Maria also reaches far back into history: It has a late Romanesque bell tower and may date from around 1200.

Immediately outside the city walls stands the Chiesa della Madonna del Piano. It was built between the late 12th and early 14th centuries to a design by Vignola and houses a fresco from the Sienese school attributed to Andrea Vanni. The Romanesque Chiesa di San Francesco contains the Gothic tomb of the brothers Francesco and Nicola Anguillara, who died in the 15th century. The church was restored by Antonio Muñoz in 1927.

The Museo delle Confraternite di Capranica preserves the memories and experiences of the city’s brotherhoods. Together with the churches and Palazzo Accoramboni, it provides points of connection for a stay in which you can consider architecture, religious heritage and local history as interconnected rather than separately.

The Via Francigena and wooded ravines

The Parco dell’Acquaforte is part of the Valloni della Via Francigena natural monument and bears a name that refers to its iron-rich spring. The Via Francigena crosses the park. The natural monument extends across two wooded ravines, so the landscape here remains closely connected to the route of the historic trail.

The Via Francigena also passes through the Valloni. Remains of rock chapels built for passing pilgrims have been preserved there. Anyone wishing to combine culture and activity in Capranica will find a particular focus in these connections between landscape and route: churches, pilgrimage history and nature exist side by side as different aspects of the same destination.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

From Capranica-Sutri railway station, you can reach the centre of Capranica by local public transport. If you are planning accommodation in Capranica, this connection is one of the practical factors to consider when choosing your location. You can weigh up whether historical impressions, proximity to the Via Francigena or the landscape of the Valloni should be the main focus of your trip.

Wine, music and cultural events

GIRO diVINO comprised three seminars on wine and tasting, for which registration was required. GIRO diVINO also featured two evenings with tastings, music and performances in Capranica’s historic centre. These events reveal another side of the town, where wine knowledge, community events and a historic setting come together.

At “Divertiamoci a colori!”, art workshops returned to the “Piersanti Mattarella” Civic Centre. “Parco dell’allegria” was announced as the fourth edition. Both references broaden Capranica’s cultural profile with activities for creative and family-oriented interests, without losing sight of the town’s historic character.

Further destinations for orientation: Lubriano, Vallerano, Bassano Romano, San Martino Al Cimino, Tobia, Montalto Marina, Fastello, Piansano.

For the broader travel overview: Viterbo.