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This is the oldest of the Roman Colleges and was founded by Domenico Cardinal Capranica in 1457 in his own palace for 31 young clerics, who received an education designed for the formation of good priests. Capranica was one of the most earnest reformers of the Roman church, The Cardinal himself drew up the rules of the college and presented it with his library, the most valuable part of which was later transferred to the Vatican. His brother, Angelo, erected a suitable home for the students opposite his own palace. During the siege of Rome, in 1527, all the students and their rector were killed in the defense of the Ports di Santo Spirito. The rector, for a time, was elected by the students from among themselves, but Alexander VII decided that the rector should be appointed by the protectors of the college. The college was re-established in 1807, and the number of free students was reduced to 13. Those entering must have completed their 17th year and they attend lectures at the Gregorian University. Many cardinals, bishops, and diplomats have come from its graduates. The stamp shows a bust of Cardinal Capranica and his coat of arms at the left. In the center is the college, and at the right is the church of Santa Maria in Aquiro. Cardinal Domenico Capranica was born in Capranica near Palestrina, Italy in 1400 and died at Rome July 14, 1458. Studying at Padua and under such teachers as the future cardinals Giuliano. Caesarini and Nicholas of Cusa he received his Doctorate of Both Laws at the age of 21. As secretary to Martin V he was promoted rapidly, administering at Imola and Forli, and became Bishop of Fermo. He was made cardinal in peto, but did not attend the installation ceremony. At the conclave, after the death of Martin V, the cardinals would not recognize his cardinalate (1431), a view sustained by the newly elected Eugene IV. Having suffered severe losses at the hands of the Orsini at Rome, he took refuge with the Visconti at Milan. He appealed in 1432 to the Council of Basle for recognition of his cardinalate and received recognition. Eugene IV deprived him of all honors and possessions for this act. Capranica bore himself moderately and in 1434 was reconciled with Eugene and, as cardinal, receive Santa Croce in Gerusalemme as his titular church. He executed many responsible missions for the Holy See, and was used as peacemaker throughout Europe. He is best known for his establishment of the Capranica College. Santa Maria in Aquiro, or degli Orfanelli, in the Piazza Capranica, was built on the site of a 4th-century church. The name Aquiro is supposed to be derived from the Equeriae, or stadium of a circus that once stood there. At a later date, the church was annexed to an orphanage founded by Pius III. The church is decorated by frescoes by Mariani. The church and the piazza Capranica are said to occupy the location of a portico and temple erected by Hadrian to Matilda, his wife's sister. The second design records a visit by Pius XII to the rooms he once occupied at Capranica College in 1894-95, made on January 21, 1957. Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 223 - 226 Date Issued - 27 June 1957 Face Value - 5 l, 10 l, 35 l, 100 l Perforations - 13 Printer - The Italian State Printing Office |
| (From Vatican Notes Volume IX, Number 3, November - December 1960, Pages 9 - 10) |
