Urceopolis (City)

Urceopolis Civitas Urceopolitania
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The Archcathedral City The Holy City Urbs Aeterna (Latin) The Eternal City
Country	Urcea
Seat	The Praetorium
Government
• Body	Archcathedral Council
• Lord Prefect	Justano Helitra
Area
• Total	3,486 km2 (1,346 sq mi)
Population  (2025)
• Total	19,374,201
• Density	5,529/km2 (14,320/sq mi)
Area codes	212, 516, 518, 646, 718
Website	urceopolis.city.gov

Urceopolis is the archcathedral 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.

The earliest record of the settlement of Urceopolis comes from accounts during the Latin Heroic Age, but many modern historians believe it probable that small, transient settlements of Gaelic people lived in and around the area prior to the arrival of the Latins.

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.

Ardriville

Ardriville was established as a fortified bridge crossing and village sometime in the early 12th century.

It is the home of The Dispossessed and, accordingly, has become known as "Noble City". It has the highest amount of current or former nobility per capita of any location in the world. Their presence - which includes a large number of lavish mansions and estates - has become a tourist attraction.

The Papal State

Main article: 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 St. Peter's burial in the area following his crucifixion. 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.