Bassano Romano

Bassano Romano
Comune
Comune di Bassano Romano

Coat of arms
Bassano Romano

Location of Bassano Romano in Italy

Coordinates: 42°13′N 12°11′E / 42.217°N 12.183°E / 42.217; 12.183Coordinates: 42°13′N 12°11′E / 42.217°N 12.183°E / 42.217; 12.183
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province Viterbo (VT)
Area
  Total 37.46 km2 (14.46 sq mi)
Elevation 360 m (1,180 ft)
Population (2001)
  Total 4,277
  Density 110/km2 (300/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bassanesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 01030
Dialing code 0761
Patron saint San Gratiliano
Saint day August 12
Website Official website

Bassano Romano is a town and comune in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio (Italy). With its origins about 1000 as the agricultural hamlet of Bassano di Sutri[1] the village's future was founded in 1160 by the wealthy landowner Enotrio Serco, who initiated the construction at the top of the slope of a fortified residence that over the centuries became a princely dwelling, frescoed by famous artists. In 1482 Pope Sixtus IV assigned the Foedus Bassani to the Anguillara, Roman patricians (patrizii di Roma). The growth of the comune redoubled after 1565, when the signory was reassigned by Pope Clement VIII to the Giustiniani, merchants of Genoese origin settled at Rome. In 1605 the signory was raised to a marquessate: a hunting lodge (casina di caccia) called "La Rocca", granaries, a stone bridge (the ponte delle Vaschie) and the church dedicated to San Vincenzo were all constructed. During the Giustiniani residence, artists were commissioned to carry out frescoes: Francesco Albani, Domenico Zampieri "Domenichino" and Antonio Tempesta are all represented. In 1644, a bulla of Pope Innocent X made the marchese of Bassano a prince, and the flock of papal and noble visitors included James Stuart, pretender to the thrones of England and Scotland. In 1735, under Giustiniani patronage the maiolica manufactory of Bartolomeo Terchi was transferred here from Siena.

Various epidemics struck Bassano during the 18th century, in 1709, 1770 and 1786. In 1799, the French forces of Napoleon attacked Bassano no less than four times.

In 1854 the fief passed from the Giustiniani to the Odescalchi. Duiring World War II Bassano was the site of several conflicts. In 1964 the comune's name was changed to Bassano Romano.

Notes

  1. Sutri was an important Etruscan, Roman and medieval stronghold not far distant.
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