| Sansepolcro | |
|---|---|
| — Comune — | |
| Città di Sansepolcro | |
| Aerial view of Sansepolcro. | |
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Sansepolcro
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Arezzo (AR) |
| Frazioni | Aboca, Gragnano, Gricignano, Melello, Montagna, Santa Fiora |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Franco Polcri (Democratic Party) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 91.48 km2 (35.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 330 m (1,083 ft) |
| Population (May 2008) | |
| • Total | 16,198 |
| • Density | 177.1/km2 (458.6/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Biturgensi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 52037 |
| Dialing code | 0575 |
| Patron saint | St. John the Evangelist |
| Saint day | December 27 |
| Website | Official website |
Sansepolcro (former Borgo Santo Sepolcro), is a town and comune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo.
Situated on the upper reaches of the Tiber river, Borgo was the birthplace of the painters Piero della Francesca, Raffaellino del Colle (a pupil of Raphael) and Angiolo Tricca. 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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According to the tradition, the town was founded around 1000 AD by two pilgrims (Arcanus and Aegidius), who founded here an oratory dedicated to Saint Leonardo (where now is the Cathedral) during their homecoming from the Holy Land, bearing a stone from the Holy Sepulchre (San Sepolcro). First historical mentions are slightly later, referring to the Benedictine Abbey, the "Badia", built in that period, round which the walled commune clustered. During the conflicts between Guelfs and Ghibellines, Borgo's factions were headed by prominent local families, the Pichi, Bercordati, Graziani and Bacci.[1] The city was ruled from Milan, then by the Papacy; in 1367 Pope Urban V gave the town and its surrounding contada to Galeotto Malatesta family, whose heirs ruled it until control was assumed by Florence.
During World War 2 the town was saved from destruction by the efforts of Royal Horse Artillery officer Tony Clarke who halted the Allied artillery attack in order to save Piero della Francesca's fresco Resurrection. [2]
English writer Aldous Huxley described the Resurrection by Piero della Francesca, which is in the Museo Civico, as "the greatest painting in the world". The museum collection includes three other works by Piero della Francesca and many other treasures including paintings by Santi di Tito, Raffaellino del Colle and Luca Signorelli.