Urbisaglia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comune di Urbisaglia
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Macerata (MC)
Mayor

Elevation	310 m
Area	22 km²
Population
- Total (as of 2001)	2,768
- Density	126/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	43°12′N, 13°23′E
Gentilic
Dialing code	0733
Postal code	62010



Location of Urbisaglia in Italy
Website: www.urbisaglia.sinp.net

Urbisaglia is a town and commune in the province of Macerata, Marche, Italy.

[edit] History

Urbs Salvia was the meeting-point of several ancient roads; the road leading south from Ancona to Ascoli Piceno was crossed here at right angles by that from Fano to Tolentino, Septempeda (San Severino) and Nuceria Camellaria (Nocera Umbra), while another led north-east from Urbs Salvia to Pausulae and the coast at Potentia (near modern Porto Recanati). It seems to have been also called Pollentia.

The date of its foundation is unknown, but it became a colony in the time of Trajan, and its importance seems to begin from this period. It was utterly destroyed by Alaric, and both Procopius (E.G. ii. 16, 17) and Dante (Paradise, xvi. 73) speak of its desolation.

[edit] Main sights

The arx is occupied by the modern town; below it considerable remains of the city walls and of the buildings within them, alike of brickwork of the imperial period, are preserved an amphitheatre measuring 110 x 76 m, with an arena 58 x 34 m, a theatre, baths, tombs, and others. A subterranean aqueduct and a number of inscriptions have been found on the site. Close by is a little chapel with paintings of the early 16th century.

The Romanesque Abbey of Fiastra, about 5 km to the north, is noticeable.

The territory of ancient Urbs Salvia probably extended as far as the old Romanesque church of S. Maria di Rambona, 13 km to the north-west.