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    Viterbo

    Italy

    Viterbo

    CityCulture

    Viterbo was the seat of the Popes for around two decades in the 13th century, and its old town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Central Italy.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Latium
    9. Viterbo
    Viterbo was the seat of the Popes for around two decades in the 13th century, and its old town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Central Italy. Stone houses, medieval fountains, and the Papal Palace define its appearance; thermal springs, used by Etruscans and Romans, lie to the west of the city.

    Sights in Viterbo

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Palazzo dei Papi
    Museum

    1Palazzo dei Papi

    The Palace was the residence of the Popes in the 13th century, who lived periodically in Viterbo at that time. In today's Conclave Hall, the first and longest Conclave in history took place from 1268 to 1271, lasting 1,006 days. The Loggia with its arches was built by the Capitano del Popolo Andrea Gatti in 1267.
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    San Lorenzo Cathedral
    Church

    2San Lorenzo Cathedral

    The Cathedral was begun in the 12th century and stands next to the Papal Palace. The Gothic bell tower dates from the first half of the 14th century. After bomb damage in 1944, the interior was largely restored to its Romanesque form. Inside the Cathedral stands the tomb of Pope John XXI.
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    3San Pellegrino Quarters

    The medieval quarter is particularly rich in profferli, the outdoor staircases typical of medieval houses in Viterbo and the surrounding area. You explore it best on foot.
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    Fontana Grande
    Attraction

    4Fontana Grande

    The construction of the fountain began in 1206. The shape of the lower basin as a Greek cross and the central column with two bowls date back to later alterations, including 1279 and 1424; the four lion heads, Viterbo's heraldic animals, also stem from 1424.
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    Il Bagnaccio
    Spa

    5Il Bagnaccio

    Northwest of the city, warm thermal water flows into natural pools. Besides the freely accessible pools, there is a fenced area with three pools, operated by an association and accessible for a fee. Viterbo has been known for its thermal springs since antiquity.
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    City walks in Viterbo

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Viterbo: Between Popes and Winding Lanes

    Discover charming Viterbo on a two-hour walk through its impressive history. From magnificent squares through the unique medieval San Pellegrino quarter to the historic Papal Palace, immerse yourself in the 'City of the Popes'.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Ristorante Tre Re

    The small trattoria near Piazza delle Erbe is one of Viterbo's oldest establishments. It serves the hearty cuisine of Tuscia, the region surrounding Viterbo.
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    2

    Il Richiastro

    Restaurant in the Old Town, dedicated to the traditional cuisine of Viterbo and Tuscia. Check opening days beforehand and make a reservation.
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    3

    Osteria Tanta Robba

    Osteria on Via Santissima Maria Liberatrice in the north of the old town, serving regional home-style cooking.
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    Food & Drink

    In Viterbo, you'll find authentic cuisine deeply rooted in the Latium region. Here you'll discover hearty dishes made with local products like wild boar or fresh pasta, served in establishments such as the Osteria Tanta Robba. For sweet treats or a true Italian breakfast, a stop at Pasticceria Garibaldi Viterbo is highly recommended.

    Acquacotta

    Simple dish of the butteri, the cattle herdsmen from Maremma and Tuscia: stale bread, vegetables, onions, wild herbs, olive oil and often an egg.

    Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone

    Wine from Montefiascone, Bolsena and neighboring towns. Its name originates from a legend about a traveling bishop whose cup-bearer marked good taverns with 'Est'.

    Heritage and Culture

    City of PopesIn the Middle Ages, Viterbo was one of Central Italy's most important cities and a preferred residence of the Popes in the 13th century. Alexander IV lived here from 1257 to 1261, and several Popes were elected in Viterbo. The first and longest conclave in history took place in the Papal Palace from 1268 to 1271, lasting 1,006 days.Medieval TownscapeTypical of Viterbo are the profferli, external staircases of medieval houses, particularly well-preserved in the San Pellegrino district. On the Cathedral Square stand the Palazzo dei Papi with its 1267 loggia and the Dom San Lorenzo, whose interior was largely restored to its Romanesque form after bomb damage in 1944.Macchina di Santa RosaOn the evening of September 3rd, around one hundred porters, the facchini, carry the approximately 30-meter-high, illuminated Macchina di Santa Rosa along a route of over one kilometer through the old town. Since 2013, this festival, along with similar festivals in Italy, has been part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

    On the Road in Viterbo

    Getting ThereThe regional train line FL3 connects Roma Tiburtina with Viterbo Porta Fiorentina. Cotral buses connect Viterbo with Rome and surrounding towns.In the CityThe historic center is compact and best explored on foot. Before entering by car, check the access rules. A car is practical for the thermal springs outside the city.

    Accommodations in Viterbo

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    Campgrounds in Viterbo

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    Nearby

    Orvieto

    Orvieto

    Orvieto is located in southwestern Umbria on a volcanic tuff plateau overlooking the Paglia Valley. The city dates back to an Etruscan settlement. It is known for its Gothic cathedral with a mosaic facade and frescoes by Luca Signorelli, the Pozzo di San Patrizio, and the many caves carved into the tuff beneath the city. The train station is at the foot of the rock, approximately 125 rail kilometers from Rome.
    Spoleto

    Spoleto

    Spoleto is located in Umbria on a hillside below the Rocca Albornoziana. The city was a Roman colony and, under the Lombards, the capital of a duchy. Among its most famous buildings are the Cathedral with frescoes by Filippo Lippi, the Ponte delle Torri, and the Roman Theatre. Every summer, it hosts the Festival dei Due Mondi.
    Latium

    Latium

    Latium stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines, with Rome as its capital. Around the capital, you'll find the villas of Tivoli, volcanic lakes like Bolsena, Vico, and Bracciano, Etruscan necropolises, and towns like Civita di Bagnoregio perched on a tufa rock.
    Rome

    Rome

    Rome was traditionally founded in 753 BC, and every era has left its mark: the Colosseum and Roman Forum from antiquity, churches and palaces from the Renaissance, fountains and squares from the Baroque. In the heart of the city lies the Vatican with St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
    Ostia Antica

    Ostia Antica

    The ruins of Rome's ancient port city lie at the former Tiber mouth, on the Via Ostiense that led here from Rome. Preserved are entire street blocks with residential buildings, baths, warehouses, shops, and mosaics, which reveal much about daily life in a Roman city.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI