CARPI (MODENA)

'Carpi' is a town of c. 65,000 people in the province of Modena, in the region Emilia Romagna (northern Italy).
It is a busy centre for industrial and craft activities and for cultural and commercial exchanges.

Contents

History

Main sights

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 Villanova 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 due to its participation to the resistance against the German occupation during World War II.

Main sights

Carpi is distinguished by its great Renaissance square (piazza), the largest in the region^[1]. It is flanked by a portico with 52 columns.
Other notable landmarks include:

★ Town hall (''Palazzo dei Pio'')- formerly the castle of the Pio family. It includes parts from different ages, such as the merloned-tower of Passerino Bonaccolsi, the Renaissance façade and the tower of Galasso Pio, and the 17th century watch tower. It includes a chapel frescoed by Bernardino Loschi and Vincenzo Catena.

★ Cathedral - Construction begun 1514, and completed with a Baroque facade (1667).

★ Church of Santa Maria in Castello or ''La Sagra'' - local example of Romanesque architecture .