Most of the sights making up the top 10 tourist attractions of Canino are either related to the city’s Etruscan origins or to the two main characters who lived there, Pope Paul III Farnese and Luciano Bonaparte, brother of the French Emperor.
Top 10 tourist attractions Canino
01. Chiesa Collegiata
Built in the 18th century, the Chiesa Collegiata replaced an earlier version from the 16th century. The church was designed by the architect Camporesi and consists of three naves. The floor plan is that of a Latin cross and there are three large entrance gates. Luciano Bonaparte and his family are buried here.
02. Piazza Mazzini
When Luciano Bonaparte ordered the construction of Piazza Mazzini in 1808 to replace the old Piazza Rocca, a number of buildings had to be demolished. Previously, the Castelvecchio, the old castle of the city, also stood here.
03. Santa Croce Church
The Santa Croce Church was built in the 11th century, making it the oldest church in Canino. The “Deposition of Christ” was painted by Monaldo Trofi.
04. Convent of Saint Francis
The former Monastery of St. Francis dates back to the 15th century, but has not been used for its original purpose since the end of the 19th century. The monastery includes a church and two cloisters. Next to the entrance to the outer cloister is the 13th century Cappella dell’Annunziata.
05. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele
The Piazza Vittorio Emanuele used to be the market square of the city. It is surrounded by a number of beautiful buildings, including the Palazzo Miccinelli and the Palazzo Caraceni. The “Fountain of the Dog” (Fontana del Cane) provides additional decoration.
06. Vulci Castle
Although ancient Etruscan Vulci lies within the territory of Montalto di Castro, the National Archaeological Museum of Vulci has its seat in the Castello della Badia, across an ancient Roman bridge (the “Rainbow Bridge” or Ponte dell’Arcobaleno) 4 kilometers outside the historic center of Canino.
07. Palazzo Bonaparte
The Palazzo Bonaparte was commissioned by the emperor’s brother in 1808. This was done by joining together a number of already existing buildings. The arch was added 50 years later by Carlo Bonaparte (the son of the emperor’s brother) to support the tower, which was about to collapse.
08. Farnese Fountain
The 16th century Fontana Farnesiana was moved from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to the Piazza de Andreis in the 20th century. It was probably originally intended to be the showpiece fountain of the Canino aqueduct, which was completed around that period.
09. Madonna del Tufo church
The Madonna del Tufo Church was built in the 14th century. Some old wall paintings can still be seen in this church, which in 1817 after a typhus epidemic was used as a cemetery. The church is no longer used as such.
10. Piazza Valentini
The Piazza Valentini is one of the most beautiful squares of the city. It is flanked on one side by a garden laid out in 1877, where a statue of Luciano Bonaparte can be seen among the cedar trees. The Teatro Comunale also dates back to the 19th century.
More tourist attractions Canino
- The Palazzo Comunale was built in the 15th century and served as Palazzo della Giustizia. The statue in front of it depicts the Canino-born Pope Paul III Farnese. The church that stands next to this palace is the Santa Maria del Suffragio Church, which has been remodeled so many times that almost nothing can be seen of its original 18th century design.
- The Castello di Musignano was once the residence of Luciano Bonaparte and today is owned by the Torlonia family.
- Only ruins remain of another ancient castle outside the city, the Castellardo.
- The Madonna delle Mosse Church is a 17th century church and used to be a pilgrimage destination. Unfortunately, it was abandoned in the 20th century after the roof collapsed.
- The Santa Maria della Neve Church was built in 1973 to replace another church.
- Outside the center of town stands La Ferriera, an abandoned old steel mill.