Nepi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comune di Nepi
Coat of arms of Comune di Nepi
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Nepi in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Lazio
Province Viterbo (VT)
Mayor Franco Vita
Elevation 227 m (745 ft)
Area 84 km² (32 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 8,438
 - Density 100/km² (259/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 42°14′N, 12°20′E
Gentilic Nepesini
Dialing code 0761
Postal code 01036
Patron Sts. Ptolomey and Romanus
 - Day August 24
Website: www.comunenepi.it

Nepi (anciently Nepet or Nepete) is a town and comune in Italy in the province of Viterbo, region of Latium. The town lies 40 km from the city of Viterbo and about 13 km southwest from Civita Castellana. As of 2005, there were 8,438 inhabitants.

The town is known for its mineral springs, sold and bottled under the Acqua di Nepi brand throughout Italy.

[edit] History

Nepet had become Roman before 386 BC, when Livy speaks of it and Sutrium as the keys of Etruria. In that year it was surrendered to the Etruscans and recovered by the Romans, who beheaded the authors of its surrender. It became a colony in 383 BC It was among the twelve Latin colonies that refused further help to Rome in 209 BC After the Social War it became a municipium. It is hardly mentioned in imperial times, except as a station on the road (Via Amerina) which diverged from the Via Cassia near the modern Settevene and ran to Ameria and Tuder.

In the 8th century AD it was for a short while the seat of a duchy.

[edit] Main sights

  • Borgia castle, a 15th century reconstruction of a feudal manor. It has massive walls and four towers, one of which visitable.
  • Cathedral of the Assunta, built in the 12th century over a pagan temple. It has been rebuilt in 1831 after the French troops had set it on fire during the Napoleonic Wars. Of the ancient structure the crypt remains, which includes the primitive pagan altar

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.