Urceopolis (City)

Urceopolis is the city of Urcea. It is also the cathedral city of the Archduchy of Urceopolis and the largest city and largest metropolitan area in Urcea, both in terms of population and area.

Boroughs
Urceopolis is divided into twenty four boroughs as well as the Papal State, a sovereign nation existing within its city limits but outside the city's jurisdiction. Old City, New City, the Flats and Aricia, and Crescent are commonly referred to collectively as "the Pale", describing the extent of the city for most of its history. Outside of Urcea, the existence of the Pale as a distinct borough is a common misconception.

The Papal State
Although an independent state not within the city jurisdiction of Urceopolis, the Papal State, home of the Pope and center of the Catholic Church, sits approximately within the center of Urceopolis along the south bank of the Urce River. Sometimes referred to as "Vatican City", the Papal State contains many of the oldest extant structures within city. Originally part of the core of the city during the Great Levantia period, the area became associated with the Church by means of burial in the area following his. A popular Christian site, St. Peter's Archbasilica was erected over the burial site upon the Christianisaton of Great Levantia, which became the official seat of the Bishop of Urceopolis and, accordingly, one of the holiest sites in Catholicism. Largely depopulated after the fall of Great Levantia, Vatican City began to grow once again in the 800s. Historically, the position of the Pope separated from the Julian Palace by the Urce River gave him a great degree of independence and influence south of the Urce, which eventually became formalized as the Duchy of Transurciana. The current borders of the Papal State, following centuries of uncertainty, were established by the River Concordat of 1815 during the Recess of the Julii.

Many former noble houses became part of the Papal State complex in administrative capacity, and the State is densely packed with churches and chapels. The Papal State is also full of gardens, observatories, and other scientific and religious structures including the Apostolic Palace and St. Peter's Archbasilica.