| Castelseprio | ||
 | ||
| Salutation | Castrum Sibrium | |
|---|---|---|
| State | Italy | |
| Region | Lombardy | |
| Territory | Alto Milanese | |
| Altitude | 310 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 3.75 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 1.296 (2010 census) | |
| Name inhabitants | sepriesi | |
| Prefix tel | 39 0331 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 21050 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
| Patron | Santa Maria Addolorata (September 15) | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Castelseprio is a city of Lombardy.
To know
It is home to the important archaeological site known as the Castelseprio archaeological park, declared a World Heritage Site in 2011 by theUNESCO as part of the site "Lombards in Italy: the places of power ".
Geographical notes
Castelseprio is lapped by the river Olona, is located in the valley of the same name on the right bank and is affected by some minor waterways, such as the Tenore and its tributary Ronchè, the Refreddo and the Roggia Milinara. From Castelseprio the Refreddo descends into the Olona, which collects the waters of some springs. In Valle Olona, there is the Buzonel pond, fed by some springs.
In Castelseprio, the Olona gives rise to a Roggia Molinara, which once moved the blades of the ancient Zacchetta mill, now in an advanced state of decay.
The archaeological park of Castelseprio is located in the northern area of the municipal territory, in a raised position.
Background
Castelseprio is known for its archaeological area, the fortified village that was the capital of the Seprio County. Castelseprio arose as a defensive post in the era of the barbarian invasions around the fourth century. The Seprio domains ranged from Lake Lugano to Mount Ceneri, Parabiago, Ponte Chiasso, the Intelvi valley and Ticino, Lake Maggiore. Castelseprio became administrative, judicial and military capital in the Byzantine era and maintained its importance until Milan and Como began to undermine it to take over the vast territory. It was destroyed by the Milanese in 1287 with the betrayal of some mountaineers from the Ossola valley. Ottone Visconti, archbishop of Milan, decreed that the stronghold would never be rebuilt. Only the sacred buildings were spared.
For five centuries the vegetation covered the remains of the castrum. The castrum is considered an archaeological site of European importance. There are important frescoes in the church of Santa Maria foris portas, and the remains of the Basilica of San Giovanni and those of San Paolo are clearly visible. Of the same archaeological unicum is the Monastery of Torba, managed by the FAI. The archaeological area was declared a World Heritage Site on June 26, 2011 byUNESCO, as part of the complex of archaeological sites linked to the dominion of the Lombards in Italy ("Lombards in Italy: places of power (568-774)").
How to orient yourself
Castelseprio: full-screen map.How to get
By plane
Malpensa airport is the second Italian hub after Rome Fiumicino. Terminal 2 (built prior to the larger Terminal 1) is mainly dedicated to charter flights, as well as hosting some particular international routes. It is located just over 25 km from Castelseprio and is connected to the town thanks to the SS336 to the Busto Arsizio nord / Sempione exit and then continuing north along the SP2 and, subsequently, the SP42
The service is also available Taxi.
By car
From Varese it is easily reachable in twenty minutes along the A8 (Autostrada dei Laghi), exiting at Solbiate Arno and continuing for Carnago, up to reach Castelseprio.
From Milan take the Laghi motorway (A8) and exit at Busto Arsizio, continuing for Cairate you reach Castelseprio.
It is not possible to reach Castelseprio through waterways.
On the train
In Castelseprio there are no railway stations, however there are stations of Tradate (5 km away) e Venegono Inferiore, both on the Saronno-Laveno line.
By bus
Castelseprio is served by coach, in connection with trains, at the FS stations of Varese is Gallarate.
How to get around
What see
1 [link not working]Castelseprio Archaeological Park, Via Castelvecchio. 
Free entry. World Heritage Site ofUNESCO. 
- 2 Church of Santa Maria foris portas. For its frescoes and its history it is undoubtedly the most important monument of Castelseprio.
- 3 Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista. Dating back to the 5th century, today part of the walls and the baptistery are visible.
- 4 Church of San Paolo. Small hexagonal church with apse, ambulatory and loggia. Probably from the Romanesque period.
- 5 Antiquarium. Small courtyard monastery, possibly built in the 14th century, housed a regular community.
- 6 Church of Saints Nazaro and Celso, Via San Giuseppe.
- 7 Church of Santa Maria Rotonda, Via Rimembranze. 5th century church
Free entry. World Heritage Site of
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Night clubs
- 1 [link not working]Kapuziner, via Crotto, 1172, ☎ 39 0331 820772, fax: 39 0331 855759, @[email protected]. 15€.
Mon-Sun 19: 30-2: 00.
Mon-Sun 19: 30-2: 00.Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- 8 Torba Monastery, Via Stazione, Torba locality, Gornate Olona, ☎ 39 0331 820301, @[email protected]. Free entry. Wed-Sun 10: 00-17: 00. It is located on the slopes of the hill on which the archaeological park of Castelseprio is located. The whole is part of the serial site "Lombards in Italy: the places of power", including seven places full of architectural, pictorial and sculptural testimonies of Lombard art, registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2011.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Castelseprio
Commons contains images or other files on Castelseprio
