Viterbo

Viterbo is the capital of the province of Viterbo in Lazio, Italy and lies slightly more than 100km north of Rome. Unofficially the area where Viterbo is located is called Tuscia, however.

Though there were earlier Etruscan settlements, and also a Roma village called Ferento, it was not until the Middle Ages that Viterbo became important, albeit in an unexpected way, as a refuge for Popes who had to escape Rome.

Viterbo tourist information:

* There are two tourist information offices in Viterbo, one of which is near the Porta Romana railway station. The other one is in the center of town.

Viterbo tourist attractions:

* Palazzo dei Papi: Formerly the palace where Popes hid when in trouble in Rome.
* Cattedrale di San Lorenzo:
* Piazza del Plebiscito
* Piazza San Lorenzo: Named after one of Viterbo’s two patron saints.
* Museo Nazionale: Housed in the former fortress Rocca Albernoz, Viterbo’s national museum displays reconstructions of Etruscan architecture. There are also statues found in the former Roman settlement of Ferento.
* Chiesa di San Silvestro: in Piazza del Gesù, with a plaque in memory of Henry of Corwall, who was murdered here.
* Ceramics Museum
* Museo della Macchina di Santa Rosa: in the Via di San Pellegrino.
* San Pellegrino: The historic area of town, with stone houses in narrow alleys.
* Lions: The lion is the emblem of the Viterbo and all over the city you will see fountains, etc. with statues of the animal.
* Palazzi Comunali: Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo della Podestà
* Museo Civico: in Piazza Crispi
* Chiesa di Santa Maria del Poggio
* Chiesa di San Damiano

Viterbo special events:

* September 3rd (evening): Trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa: A 30 meter tall structure is carried through the streets of Viterbo. The feast is in honor of the relocation of Santa Rosa’s body from the Church of Santa Maria del Poggio to the Church of San Damiano.
* May: San Pellegrino in Fiore, a flower festival.
* September/October: Baroque Festival

How to reach Viterbo by car:

How to reach Viterbo by public transportation:

* From Rome:
o There are direct trains from Rome’s Ostiense (metro: Piramide, line B) station to Viterbo (Porta Romana). The Porta Romana station is just outside the walls of the city.
o You can also take a Co.Tra.L bus from the Saxa Rubra metro station (on the local train line from Flaminio).

Viterbo, Fiera dell’Annunziata (March 25)

Every year on March 25 Viterbo hosts the Fiera dell’Annunziata, a market with a length of more than 3km. The market starts at the Porta Romana, winds its way through the historical center of Viterbo, and ends at the other … Continue reading →

Viterbo

Viterbo is the capital of the province of Viterbo in Lazio, Italy and lies slightly more than 100km north of Rome. Unofficially the area where Viterbo is located is called Tuscia, however. Though there were earlier Etruscan settlements, and also … Continue reading →

Viterbo – Palazzo dei Papi

The Palazzo dei Papi is one of Viterbo’s most interesting tourist attractions. It is located in the Piazza San Lorenzo. The Palazzo Papale, as it is also known, was built between the years 1225 and 1267. Its scope was to … Continue reading →

Viterbo – Saint Lawrence Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo)

Viterbo has two patron saints, Lawrence and Rosa. Its cathedral is dedicated only to San Lorenzo, however. Although the roof and the nave of the church were damaged during World War II bombings, they were subsequently restored, in accordance with … Continue reading →

Viterbo – Palazzo dei Priori

Viterbo’s complex of the Palazzi Comunali can be found on the Piazza Plebiscito. Its main buildings are the Palazzo dei Priori and the Piazza del Plebiscito, which form the center for Viterbo’s civic authorities. When going through the archway on … Continue reading →

Viterbo – Museo Civico

Viterbo’s town museum (Museo Civico) in Piazza Crispi is one of the most important museums dealing with the history of the area around the city. The exhibits include of course Etruscan sarcophagi and various artifacts found in the tombs as … Continue reading →