Carpi, Emilia-Romagna

Not to be confused with Capri, an Italian island off the west coast of Italy.
Carpi
—  Comune  —
Città di Carpi
The Cathedral of Carpi ("Duomo")
Carpi
Location of Carpi in Italy
Coordinates:
Country Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Modena (MO)
Frazioni Budrione, Cantone di Gargallo, Cibeno Pile, Cortile, Fossoli, Gargallo, Lama di Quartirolo, Migliarina Roma, Osteriola, San Marino, Santa Croce
Government
 • Mayor Enrico Campedelli
Area
 • Total 131 km2 (50.6 sq mi)
Elevation 28 m (92 ft)
Population (31 March 2009)[1]
 • Total 67,298
 • Density 513.7/km2 (1,330.5/sq mi)
Demonym Carpigiani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 41012
Dialing code 059
Patron saint San Bernardino da Siena
Saint day May 20
Website Official website

Carpi is an Italian town and comune of about 67,000 people in the province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna.

It is a busy centre for industrial and craft activities and for cultural and commercial exchanges.

Contents

History

The name "Carpi" is derived from carpinus betulus, a hornbeam tree particularly widespread in medieval times in the Po valley region. In Prehistoric times it was a settlement of the Villanovan Culture.

The foundation by the Lombard king Aistulf of St. Mary's church in the castle (Castrum Carpi) in 752 was the first step in the current settlement of the city. From 1319 to 1525 it was ruled by the Pio family, after whom it was acquired by the Este, as part of the Duchy of Modena.

The city received a Silver Medal for Military Valour in recognition of its participation in the resistance against the German occupation during World War II.

Carpi is the finishing point of the annual Italian Marathon, which begins in nearby Maranello. Almost 1000 athletes enter the senior men's and women's race which has been held every year since 1988.

Title

As a titular Duke of Modena, the current holder of the title of "Prince of Carpi" would be Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este.

Main sights

Carpi is distinguished by its great Renaissance square (piazza), the largest in the region.[2] It is flanked by a portico with 52 columns.

Other notable landmarks include:

References

  1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  2. ^ Image.
  3. ^ Parsons, "Between Typology and Geometry, Designs by Baldassarre Peruzzi for Carpi Cathedral," Romisches Jahrbuch der Biblioteca Hertziana (Hirmer Verlag, Munich, 2005), band 35, pp. 287-326.