Republic of Cospaia

Cospaia Republic
Repubblica di Cospaia
Microstate
1440–1826
Flag Coat of arms
Motto Perpetua et firma libertas
Location of Cospaia
Capital		Cospaia
Languages		Italian
Religion		Roman Catholic
Government		Republic
Historical era		Early Modern
•	Established	1440
•	Partitioned	May 25, 1826
Area
Currency		Ducal
Preceded by Succeeded by Papal States Grand Duchy of Tuscany Papal States

Cospaia was a small republic in Italy, located in northern Umbria, independent from 1440 to 1826.

History

It unexpectedly gained independence in 1440 after Pope Eugene IV, embroiled in a struggle with the Council of Basel, made a sale of territory to the Republic of Florence. By error, a small strip of land went unmentioned in the sale treaty and its inhabitants promptly declared themselves independent. An early centre in Italy for tobacco production, Cospaia eventually evolved into a commerce haven which, in 1826, was divided between Tuscany and the Papal States. Each citizen was awarded a silver coin by the church to help convince them to continue farming tobacco.

Today, Cospaia is a hamlet (frazione) of the comune of San Giustino in the Province of Perugia.

Government

The Republic of Cospaia was almost completely anarchist in its government and criminal justice system, or lack thereof. There were no jails and there was no standing army or police force within the tiny nation. There was a council of elders and a chief's family who governed at one point. They met in the Church of Annunciation for councils.

See also

• Republic of Senarica
• List of historic states of Italy
• European microstates
• List of republics

External links

Media related to at Wikimedia Commons

• La storia ritrovata: La Repubblica di Cospaia (Italian)
• Cospaia: storia della repubblica più piccola al mondo (Italian)