The Almo Collegio Capranica is the oldest

Roman college The Roman College (, ) was a school established by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1551, just 11 years after he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It quickly grew to include classes from elementary school through university level and moved to seve ...

, founded in 1457 by Cardinal Domenico Capranica (1400–1458) in his own palace for thirty young clerics, who received an education suitable to prepare them for the priesthood.

History

Antoniazzo Romano fresco - Madonna with child and saints

The Capranica College is located in the Piazza Capranica, in the Colonna district. The Capranica family made their fortunes under

Pope Martin V Pope Martin V (; ; January/February 1369 – 20 February 1431), born Oddone Colonna, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 11 November 1417 to his death in February 1431. His election effectively ended the We ...

(Oddone Colonna). Domenico Capranica (1400-1458), was a cardinal and a humanist. Upon the death of Martin V, conflict arose between the rival Colonna and Orsini families. Capranica, who was often away on assignments for the papacy, found his home stripped and decided to build a new one.Bongiovanni, Maria Beatrice. "Capranica family and his Roman palace", ''Telematic Bulletin of Art'', November 14, 2013
/ref> Around 1449 Cardinal Domenico Capranica began construction of his palace by buying some houses near the parish church of St. Mary in Aquiro, in the square that now bears his name. Among the buildings acquired there was a chapel, which tradition says was built on the site of the birthplace of St. Agnes, who would have suffered martyrdom in the nearby stadium of Domitian. He founded the college in January 1457, with the aim of offering the opportunity of a proper education for the priesthood to young poor of the city of Rome. He opened it in his own palace for thirty-one poor scholars, sixteen in theology and the liberal arts, and fifteen in canon law. In this he anticipated by more than a century the establishment of "seminaries" decreed by the Council of Trent. The institution was the first of its kind in Rome; initially reserved for young Romans, it later extended hospitality to students from other Italian regions and of different nationalities. Capranica himself drew up their rules and presented the college with his own library, the more valuable portion of which was later transferred to the Vatican. The curriculum included the study of Aristotle and Aquinas. It was expected that over the holidays, students would gain experience by serving in the cathedral or in other local churches. When the Constable de Bourbon laid siege to Rome in 1527, the Capranica students were among the few defenders of the Porta di S. Spirito, and all of them with their rector died when Rome was breached. The word "Almo" ("who gives life") in the title remembers them. The rector, according to the university custom of those days, was elected by the students and was always one of them until

Pope Alexander VII Pope Alexander VII (; 13 February 159922 May 1667), born Fabio Chigi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 April 1655 to his death, in May 1667. He began his career as a vice- papal legate, and he held various d ...

decided that the rector should be appointed by the protectors of the college. In 1971

Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI (born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding John XXII ...

instituted an Episcopal Commission, composed of three former students, a cardinal and two bishops to direct the seminary. After the French Revolution, the college was re-established in 1807; the number of free students was reduced to 13, but paying students were admitted. The College was closed from 1798 to 1807, during the

Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( ) was the era of Ancient Rome, classical Roman civilisation beginning with Overthrow of the Roman monarchy, the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom (traditionally dated to 509 BC) and ending in 27 BC with the establis ...

. Currently, the college has about fifty students, primarily from dioceses in Italy. There are also Orthodox pupils and students from Eastern Catholic Churches. Some students are preparing for the priesthood, others, already priests, continue their postgraduate studies. Typically a Capranica student enters the College during the years of preparation for ordination and remains there until the completion of his specialization. The college's patroness is St. Agnes.

Building

The original one-story building probably had the workshops on the ground floor, with the living quarters and state rooms on the main floor. After the death of Domenico in 1458, his brother Angelo, also a cardinal, enlarged the palace, but reserved part of the building for the family, who later created a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

from existing family apartments without changing the exterior of the building. The facade facing the square, is covered with light plaster and is characterized by the presence of the square tower, ending with a loggia that opens to the outside with two arched windows on each side. The current façade is not the original one but the result of renovations mainly in seventeenth century, during which as additional floor was added.

Chapel of St. Agnes

This chapel is commonly believed to be the oldest place of worship dedicated to the martyr. The main chapel of the College, dedicated to St Agnes, was restored in 1954 in neo-Renaissance style. The walls are covered with polychrome marble and decorated with a double cornice. The semicircular apse contains afresco of '' Madonna with Child, a holy bishop and St Agnes'', attributed to Antoniazzo Romano. Stained glass windows depict Saints Gregory the Great, Augustine, Jerome and Ambrose. The pipe organ is a Mascioni (Opus 696) manufactured in 1953.

Alumni

The Capranica has produced many notable ecclesiastics, including Popes Benedict XV and

Pius XII Pope Pius XII (; born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli; 2 March 18769 October 1958) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2 March 1939 until his death on 9 October 1958. He is the most recent p ...

, numerous cardinals, and Blessed Luigi Novarese File:CoA Benedetto XV.svg, Pope Benedict XV (Born Giacomo della Chiesa,1854-1922),

Pope The pope is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...

from 3 September 1914 to 22 January 1922 File:C o a Pius XII.svg,

Pope Pius XII Pope Pius XII (; born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli; 2 March 18769 October 1958) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2 March 1939 until his death on 9 October 1958. He is the most recent p ...

(Born Eugenio Pacelli, 1872-1958),

from 2 March 1939 to 9 October 1958 File:COA of Cardinal Bafrtolomeo Bacilieri 2.svg, Cardinal Bartolomeo Bacilieri (1842–1923) Bishop of Verona (1900-1923) File:Coat of arms of Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro.svg, Cardinal Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro (1843–1913)

Cardinal Secretary of State The Secretary of State of His Holiness (; ), also known as the Cardinal Secretary of State or the Vatican Secretary of State, presides over the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, the oldest and most important dicastery of the Roman Curia. Th ...

(1887-1903) File:Coat of arms of Niccolò Marini.svg, Cardinal Niccolò Marini (1843-1923) Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches File:Coat of arms of Aristide Rinaldini.svg, Cardinal Aristide Rinaldini (1844-1920) Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals File:Coat of arms of Camillo Laurenti.svg, Cardinal Camillo Laurenti (1861-1938) Prefect of Sacred Congregation of Religious of the

Sacred Congregation of Rites The Sacred Congregation of Rites was a Congregation (Roman Curia), congregation of the Roman Curia, erected on 22 January 1588 by Pope Sixtus V by ''Immensa Aeterni Dei''; it was divided into two separate congregations by Pope Paul VI on 8 May 196 ...

File:Coat of arms of Francesco Marchetti-Selvaggiani.svg, Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1871-1951), Secretary of Propaganda Fidei and of the Holy Office, and Vicar of Rome File:COA Cardinal Nicola Canali.svg, Cardinal Nicola Canali (1874-1961)

President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State (, ) is the legislative body of Vatican City. It consists of a president, who also holds the title of President of the Governorate and deputizes as the head of government of Vatican City, as well ...

(1939-1961) File:Coat of arms of Luigi Maglione.svg, Cardinal Luigi Maglione (1877-1944),

(1939-1944) File:Coat of arms of Enrico Dante.svg, Cardinal Enrico Dante (1884-1967) Master of Pontifical Ceremonies (1947-1967) File:Coat of arms of Clemente Micara.svg, Cardinal Clemente Micara (1879—1965) Pro-Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (1950-1953) File:Coat of arms of Benedetto Aloisi Masella.svg, Cardinal Benedetto Aloisi Masella (1879-1970) Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments (1954-1968) File:Coat of arms of Luigi Traglia.svg, Cardinal Luigi Traglia (1895-1977)

Cardinal Vicar Cardinal vicar () is a title commonly given to the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome for the portion of the diocese within Italy (i.e. excluding the portion within Vatican City). The official title, as given in the ''Annuario Pontificio'', i ...

of Rome (1965-1968) File:COA Cardinal Guido Del Mestri.svg, Cardinal Guido Del Mestri (1911-1993) Nuncio Apostolico to West Germany (1975-1984) File:Coat of arms of Domenico Bartolucci.svg, Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci (1917- ) Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir (1956- ) File:Coat of arms of Lorenzo Antonetti.svg, Cardinal Lorenzo Antonetti (1922- ) President of

Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See The Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA; ) is the office of the Roman Curia that deals with the "provisions owned by the Holy See in order to provide the funds necessary for the Roman Curia to function". It was established ...

File:Coat of arms of Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo.svg, Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo (1925- ), Archpriest of the

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (, ) is one of Rome's four major papal basilicas, along with the basilicas of Saint John in the Lateran, Saint Peter's, and Saint Mary Major, as well as one of the city’s Seven Pilgrim Ch ...

File:Coat of arms of Mario Francesco Pompedda.svg, Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda (1929-2006), Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura File:Coat of arms of Aloysius Ambrozic.svg, Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic (1930- ) Archbishop of

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

(1990-2007) File:Coat of arms of Sergio Sebastiani.svg, Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani (1931- ), President of Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See (1997-2008) File:Coat of arms of Renato Martino.svg, Cardinal

Renato Martino Renato Raffaele Martino (23 November 1932 – 28 October 2024) was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Created a cardinal in 2003, Martino became the longest serving cardinal deacon, the cardinal protodeacon, from June 2014. He se ...

(1932- ), President of the

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (''Justitia et Pax'') was a pontifical council of the Roman Curia dedicated to "action-oriented studies" for the international promotion of justice, peace, and human rights from the perspective of the ...

(2002-2009) File:Coat of arms of Camillo Ruini.svg, Cardinal Camillo Ruini (1932- ) Vicar of the Diocesis of Rome (1991–2008), President of the Italian Episcopal Conference (1991– 2007) File:Coat of arms of Paolo Romeo.svg, Cardinal Paolo Romeo (1938- ), Archbishop of

Palermo Palermo ( ; ; , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan province. The ...

(2007- ) File:Coat of arms of Antonio Buoncristiani.svg, Archbishop Antonio Buoncristiani, archbishop of

Siena Siena ( , ; traditionally spelled Sienna in English; ) is a city in Tuscany, in central Italy, and the capital of the province of Siena. It is the twelfth most populated city in the region by number of inhabitants, with a population of 52,991 ...

Colle di Val d'Elsa Colle di Val d'Elsa or Colle Val d'Elsa is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Siena, Tuscany. It has a population of c. 21,600 . Its name means "Hill of Elsa Valley", where Elsa (river), Elsa is the name of the river which crosses it and Val ...

and

Montalcino Montalcino is a hill town and ''comune'' in the province of Siena, Tuscany, central Italy. The town is located to the west of Pienza, close to the Crete Senesi in Val d'Orcia. It is from Siena, from Florence and from Pisa. Monte Amiata is l ...

(2001-) File:Coat of arms of Mgr Roland Minnerath.svg, Archbishop Roland Minnerath, Archbishop of

Dijon Dijon (, ; ; in Burgundian language (Oïl), Burgundian: ''Digion'') is a city in and the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Côte-d'Or Departments of France, department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regions of France, region in eas ...

(2004- ) File:Coat of arms of Renato Boccardo.svg, Archbishop Renato Boccardo, Archbishop of

Spoleto Spoleto (, also , , ; ) is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east-central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is south of Trevi, north of Terni, southeast of Perugia; southeast of Florence; and north of Rome. H ...

and Norcia (2009-) File:Coat of arms of Rino Fisichella.svg, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation(2010-) File:Coat of arms of Francesco Alfano.svg, Archbishop Francesco Alfano, Archbishop of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia (2012-) File:Coat of arms of Domenico Sorrentino.svg, Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of

Assisi Assisi (, also ; ; from ; Central Italian: ''Ascesi'') is a town and comune of Italy in the Province of Perugia in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Monte Subasio. It is generally regarded as the birthplace of the Latin poet Prope ...

and Norcia (2005- ) File:Coat of arms of Michele Pennisi.svg, Archbishop Michele Pennisi (1946-) Archbishop of Monreale (2013-) File:Coat of arms of Piero Pioppo.svg, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Nuncio to

Cameroon Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the R ...

and Equatorial Guinee (2010- ) File:Coat of arms of Filippo Santoro.svg, Bishop Filippo Santoro (1948-), Archbishop of

Taranto Taranto (; ; previously called Tarent in English) is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Taranto, serving as an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base. Founded by Spartans ...

(2011- ) File:COA Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia (Bishop Franco Gualdrini).svg, Bishop Franco Gualdrini (1923-2010) Bishop of

Terni Terni ( ; ; ) is a city in the southern portion of the region of Umbria, in Central Italy. It is near the border with Lazio. The city is the capital of the province of Terni, located in the plain of the Nera (Tiber), River Nera. It is northeast ...

Narni Narni () is an ancient hilltown and (municipality) of Umbria, in central Italy, with 19,252 inhabitants (2017). At an altitude of , it overhangs a narrow gorge of the River Nera in the province of Terni. It is very close to the geograp ...

and Amelia (1983-2000) File:Coat of arms of Mansueto Bianchi.svg, Bishop Mansueto Bianchi, Bishop of

Volterra Volterra (; Latin: ''Volaterrae'') is a walled mountaintop town in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its history dates from before the 8th century BC and it has substantial structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods. History ...

(2000-2006) and

Pistoia Pistoia (; ) is a city and ''comune'' in the Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of a province of the same name, located about north-west of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno. It is a typic ...

(2006- ). File:Stemma Vescovo Paolo Gillet.svg, Bishop Paolo Gillet, (1929- ) Auxiliary Bishop of Albano (1993-2005) File:Coat of arms of Giuseppe Orlandoni.svg, Bishop Giuseppe Orlandoni, (1939- ) Bishop of

Senigallia Senigallia (or Sinigaglia in Old Italian; ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) and port town on Italy's Adriatic Sea, Adriatic coast. It is situated in the province of Ancona, in the Italian region of Marche, and lies approximately 30 kilometres nor ...

(1997- ) File:Coat of arms of Richard Grecco.svg, Bishop Richard John Grecco (1946-) bishop of

Charlottetown Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, Charlott ...

(2009-) File:Coat of arms of Mariano Crociata.svg, Mons. Mariano Crociata (1953-) bishop of

Noto Noto (; ) is a city and in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. It is southwest of the city of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains. It lends its name to the surrounding area Val di Noto. In 2002 Noto and its church were decl ...

, secretary general of the Italian Bishops Conference (2008-) File:Coat of arms of Frederick Joseph Colli.svg, Bishop Frederick Colli (1949-) bishop of

Thunder Bay, Ontario Thunder Bay is a city in and the seat of Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. It is the most populous municipality in Northwestern Ontario and the second most populous (after Greater Sudbury) municipality in Northern Ontario. Its population i ...

(1999-) File:Coat of arms of Fausto Tardelli.svg, Bishop Fausto Tardelli (1951 - ), Bishop of San Miniato (2004- ) File:Coat of arms of Claudio Maniago.svg, Bishop Claudio Maniago (1959-), Auxiliary bishop of

Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...

(2003-) File:Coat of arms of Vincenzo Apicella.svg, Bishop Vincenzo Apicella, Bishop of Velletri-Segni (2006-) * Card Pietro Pavan (1903–1994) * Card Antonio Vico (1847–1929) * Card Alessandro Sanminiatelli Zabarella (1840 — 1910) * Arch Alfonso Carinci (1862–1963) Secretary S.C. dei Riti (1945–1960) Rector of the Capranica (1911–1930)

References

External links