Ronciglione

Ronciglione
Comune
Comune di Ronciglione

A view of the medieval burg of Ronciglione.

Coat of arms
Ronciglione

Location of Ronciglione in Italy

Coordinates: 42°17′N 12°12′E / 42.283°N 12.200°E / 42.283; 12.200
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province / Metropolitan city Viterbo (VT)
Frazioni Lago di Vico
Government
  Mayor Alessandro Giovagnoli
Area
  Total 52.28 km2 (20.19 sq mi)
Elevation 441 m (1,447 ft)
Population (31 December 2010)[1]
  Total 8,908
  Density 170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Ronciglionesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 01037
Dialing code 0761
Patron saint St. Bartholomew
Saint day August 24
Website Official website

Ronciglione is a city and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio (central Italy), about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Viterbo. The city is located in the Cimini mountains, over two tuff scarps, on the SE slope of the former volcano crater now housing the Lake Vico.

The city's economy is based largely on agriculture, with production of nuts, chestnuts and wine.

History

The most ancient document mentioning Ronciglione dates to 1103. A historian from the 16th century Orvieto set its foundation around 1045, due to the Prefetti of Vico. Later it was a possession of the Anguillara, a Guelph family of Rome. Pope Paul II conquered it to the Papal States in 1465.

In 1526 Ronciglione became a possession of the Farnese, and lived its period of greatest splendour: its industries included manufacturing of copper, iron, paper, weapons and others. Ended in 1649 the Farnese seignory and bought back by Pope Innocent X, in 1728 it received the status of city by Pope Benedict XIII.

The Ronciglionesi took active part in the Roman Republic of 179899: the French troops, however, crushed the revolt and burnt the city on July 20, 1799.

Main sights

Ronciglione has one of the most beautiful mediaeval burgs of central Italy.

The city monuments and sights include:

Culture

Ronciglione is known for its Carnival. Established as a derivative of the Renaissance Carnival of Rome, it has typical "empty races" in which the horses are left to run without riders. The cities are divided into 9 contrades which contend for the "Palio of the Manna".

Transportation

Ronciglione is served by the SP1 Cimina provincial road, connecting it to SS2 Cassia national road which starts from Rome, and to Viterbo. SP35 provincial road connects the town to Caprarola and Capranica.

There is a station on the Orte-Civitavecchia railroad, which has abandoned in 1995.

References

  1. Population data from Istat


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 4/3/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.