Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
Founded by the Etruscans and eventually taken over by Rome, Viterbo developed into an
important medieval centre and in the 13th century became the residence of the popes. Papal
elections were held in the Gothic Palazzo dei Papi, where in 1271 the entire college of car-
dinals was briefly imprisoned. The story goes that after three years of deliberation the car-
dinals still hadn't elected a new pope. Mad with frustration, the Viterbesi locked the dither-
ing priests in a turreted hall and starved them into electing Pope Gregory X.
Apart from its historical appeal, Viterbo is famous for its therapeutic hot springs. The
best known is the sulphurous Bulicame pool, mentioned by Dante in the
Divine Comedy
.
PALAZZO DEI PRIORI
(Piazza del Plebiscito; 9am-1pm & 3-6pm Mon-Sat, 10am-1pm & 3-6pm Sun)
F
The elegant Renaissance
Piazza del Plebiscito is dominated by this imposing palace. Now home to the town council,
it's worth venturing inside for the 16th-century frescoes that colourfully depict Viterbo's
ancient origins - the finest are in the Sala Regia on the 1st floor. Outside, the elegant court-
yard and fountain were added two centuries after the
palazzo
was built in 1460.
PALACE
PIAZZA SAN LORENZO
For an idea of how rich Viterbo once was, head southwest to
Piazza San Lorenzo
, the medieval
city's religious heart. It was here that the cardinals came to vote for their popes and pray in
Romanesque design, it owes its current Gothic look to a 14th-century make-over; damage
by Allied bombs in WWII meant the roof and nave had to be rebuilt.
PIAZZA
MUSEO DEL COLLE DEL DUOMO
MUSEUM
(Piazza San Lorenzo; adult/reduced incl guided visit to Palazzo dei Papi, Sala del Conclave & Loggia €7/5;
10am-1pm & 3-8pm Tue-Sun, to 6pm winter, to 8pm Aug)
Next door to the cathedral, this museum dis-
plays a small collection of religious artefacts, including a reliquary said to contain the chin
of John the Baptist.
CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA NUOVA
CHURCH
