Travelling along the wonderful Via Cassia from Montefiascone, passing near some mountains and vulcanic lakes, you will reach the charming city of Viterbo, the ancient capital of Etruscan Latium. We are in the area between Mount Cimino, Vico Lake and the endless woods of chestnuts and conifers that surround the slight city slope.
Viterbo is a province in Northern Latium with centuries-old origins and buildings in its huge city center. There are many archaelogical itineraries offered to visitors in order to discover the historical heritage of this town, which is also the location of the peculiar “Macchina di Santa Rosa” celebration every September 3rd. In honor of the patron saint, an enormous illuminated structure is carried on the shoulders of one hundred “Facchini di Santa Rosa” along the streets. UNESCO even declared this event an “Intangible World Heritage”.
This city of "beautiful women and fountains” experienced its most flourishing period betweenin the 12th-13th century, when it became the so-called “city of the popes”.Three popes were buried here, six took shelter or inhabited the city durably, while six other were elected in its churches. In occasion of the designation of the last one, the French Martin IV, the people of Viterbo invaded the Dome and kidnapped two cardinals, so they were excommunicated and no Pope returned to the city for the following 86 years.
Viterbo still conserves a charming medieval aspect and there are many monuments or places of interest you cannot forget to visit during a stay here. The most beautiful part of it is the district of San Pellegrino, where small houses alternate with medieval towers in a labyrinth of streets, squares, stairways and stunning arches.
You should also see Palazzo dei Papi, a Romanic-style building with the magnificent "Salone del Conclave" where cardinals gathered from 1268 to 1271 to elect Clement IV successor. As they couldn't agree on his name, the People's Captain ordered to shut them in the building and to remove its roof, in order to encourage them to hurry up in their decision. Other important monuments are San Lorenzo Dome, built in the 12th century on the ruins of a Pagan temple dedicated to Hercules, Santa Maria Nuova Church, one of the oldest of the city with a beautiful pulpit, Santa Rosa Church, San Martino al Cimino Abbey or San Silvestro Church.
The museums that we suggest visiting are the Museo Civico and the Museo Colle del Duomo, conserving some beautiful sacred art masterpieces and acrhaelogical findings dating back to villanovian and medieval periods.
Visit this wonderful town during your next holiday in Latium! If you are looking for the perfect property to book for your stay, we propose our holiday rentals "I Gigli di Bolsena" or "Rielli Apartment", which are located a few kilometrs away from the city.
