The Old Casperia

The old town centre covers top of a hill, the romanic bell tower of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, together with the foliage of a beautiful ilex, rise above the surrounding buildings rendering unique the skyline of the town. The present old town centre corresponds to that which once was the fortified village of Aspra, name that the town kept until 1947 when it was changed in Casperia because presumably where the ancient town spoken of also by Virgilio could have been.
The town still preserves the medieval atmosphere given by the narrow sloped streets that end in small squares, by the alternation of humble houses and majestic buildings, and by the well preserved late medieval walls along which one may enjoy a short panoramic walk.
The ancient town centre is entirely pedestrian, it is extremely well kept and the paving has recently been renovated.
On the opposite side of the square with respect to the door in the ancient walls, one may admire the Church of the Annunziata and its beautiful Annunciation of the Sassoferrato.
There is also another church, at the top of the town, the parish church of San Giovanni Battista.
Apart from all the beautiful buildings and monuments, the most pleasing thing is walking around this town and discovering some of its many suggestive views, admiring its architecture and the general harmony present.

The ancient village of Aspra, founded in the X-XI century, passed under the control of the Holy See. During the â€˜200-â€˜300 it grew in importance and had under its hegemony nearby castles such as Caprignano and Montefiolo. In 1347 it was subjugated by Cola di Rienzo, then enfeoffed to NiccolÃ² di Pone deâ€™ Ranieri, passed to the Savelli and was, in 1592, confiscated by the Pope.
It has a historical archive which is particularly rich in documents relative to all the different historical facts that have interested the castle as of the XII century.

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