Sansepolcro

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Comune di Sansepolcro
Coat of arms of Comune di Sansepolcro
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Arezzo (AR)
Mayor Franco Polcri (since 2006-06-12)
Elevation 330 m
Area 91.48 km²
Population
 - Total (as of December 31, 2004) 15,923
 - Density 172/km²
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 43°34′N 12°09′E
Gentilic Biturgensi
Dialing code 0575
Postal code 52037
Frazioni Aboca, Gragnano, Gricignano, Melello, Montagna, Santa Fiora
Patron St. John the Evangelist
 - Day December 27
Website: www.sansepolcro.net

Sansepolcro (former Borgo Santo Sepolcro), is a town and commune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo.

Situated on the Tiber river, it was the birthplace of the painters Piero della Francesca and Raffaellino del Colle, a pupil of Raphael. It was also the birthplace of the Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli.

Economy is based on agriculture. Industry includes manufacturing, food processing and pharmaceutics. It is the home of Buitoni pasta which was founded by Giulia Buitoni in 1827.

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[edit] History

According to the tradition, the town was founded around 1000 AD by two pilgrims (Arcanus and Aegidius), who founded here an oratory (where now is the Cathedral) during their homecoming from the Holy Land. First historical mentions are slightly later, referring the the Benedictine Abbey built in that period. The historical centre Sansepolcro reached its current size around 1400, and in 1500 received its walls by Giuliano da Sangallo, Dominations included those of Milan, the Malatesta and then Florence.

[edit] Diocese

A Roman Catholic diocese was erected here in 1515[1] and united with the diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro.[2]

[edit] Main sights

Aldous Huxley described the Resurrection by Piero della Francesca which is in the Museo Civico as "the greatest painting in the world". It also houses other work by Piero della Francesca and by Santi di Tito, Raffaellino del Colle and Luca Signorelli.

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[edit] Sister cities

[edit] External links