Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Piazza Santa Maria Nuova; 7am-7pm)
This 11th-century Romanesque church, the oldest in Vi-
terbo, was restored to its original form after bomb damage in WWII. The cloisters are par-
ticularly lovely and are believed to date from an earlier period.
PIAZZA SAN PELLEGRINO
South of here lies the remarkably well-preserved medieval quarter. Wander down Via San
Pellegrino with its low-slung arches and claustrophobic grey houses to this pint-sized and
picturesque square.
PIAZZA
MUSEO NAZIONALE ETRUSCO
( 0761 32 59 29; Piazza della Rocca; adult/reduced €6/3; 8.30am-7.30pm Tue-Sun)
For a shot of
Etruscan culture head to this museum, which evokes the Etruscan lifestyle via reconstruc-
tions, as well as exhibiting artefacts found locally, the highlight being the entire 'tomb of
the chariot' discovered in Ischia di Castro. It's all housed in the Albornaz fortress by the
town's northern entrance.
MUSEUM
CHIESA DI SAN FRANCESCO
(Piazza San Francesco; 8am-6.30pm)
A short walk away from Museo Nazionale Etrusco is this
Gothic church, which contains the tombs of two popes: Clement IV (d 1268) and Adrian
V (d 1276). Both are attractively decorated, particularly that of Adrian, which features
Cosmati work (multicoloured marble and glass mosaics set into stone and white marble).
CHURCH
MUSEO CIVICO
( 0761 34 82 75; Piazza Crispi; admission €3.10; 9am-6pm Tue-Sun Oct-Mar, to 7pm Apr-Sep)
On the oth-
er side of town, this museum is housed in the cloister and nunnery adjoining Santa Maria
della Verità. It features more Etruscan goodies, as well as curious fake Etruscan antiquities
created in the 15th century by Annius of Viterbo, a monk and forger trying to give Viterbo
extra kudos. There's also an art gallery, the highlight of which is Sebastiano del Piombo's
Pietà.
MUSEUM
FONTANA GRANDE
In its eponymous piazza, the 'Big Fountain' lives up to its name and is also the oldest of
Viterbo's Gothic fountains.
FOUNTAIN
