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Viterbo

The most important medieval city of Tuscia

  • Discover Viterbo

    Viterbo, the ancient city with a thousand facets offers an extensive historic center dating from the Middle Ages surrounded by ancient walls dating back to the twelfth century P.C.



    On the West the territory of Viterbo extend on a vast archaeological and spa areas dating back to a more distant past, probably attributable to the Etruscan and Roman period. However the history of Viterbo begins to take shape in the period of the Middle Ages.



    Forever known as "The City of the Popes", during the Middle Ages Viterbo covered the role of Capital of Christianity and for a long time it remained under the protective wing of the Papal system.



    Only with the advent of the Kingdom of Italy, there were a real break with the papal reality and Viterbo was annexed to the province of Rome. On this occasion, the city lost its capital status only to take it up in 1927, thanks to a reorganization of provincial boundaries, carried out in those years.



    Therefore Viterbo had its largest development only in recent decades, with the birth of the prestigious University of Tuscia, the choice of Viterbo as the site of the archaeological Superintendence for Southern Etruria and the military airport "Tommaso Fabbri", together with the associated barracks of the Cavalry Center Air Marshals of the School of Aeronautics and Petty Officers School of the Italian Army.



    The city's pride and joy along with an integral part of economic development, are the small businesses in the agricultural, food and ceramics.



    Active reality of tourism, thanks to its ancient history and its exceptional thermal resources, Viterbo has always attracted visitors of all ages.



    Many are in fact the events organized in the city throughout the whole year, especially during the summer. One of the most important is the Santarosa machine, an evocative event in which, through a triumphal canopy, is commemorated the translation of the mortal remains of Santa Rosa, which took place at the behest of Pope Alexander IV in 1258.

  • Video of Viterbo

  • History of Viterbo

    The Viterbo area is very rich in history and art, largely related to the Etruscan and medieval era.

    In Roman times the current area of Viterbo became, like many of the other surrounding territories, domain of Rome. In the VIII century it took the name of Castrum Viterbii and was fortified in 773 by Desiderio, King of the Lombards.

    From this moment on Viterbo became the second stronghold of the Papacy, from which the epithet that still characterizes it today: City of the Popes. During the period of struggle between the Catholic Church and Empire, Viterbo became a free municipality and then, thanks to the Franks, it was included in the Papal State.

    In 1164 Viterbo became permanent residence for the anti­Pope Pasquale III, who decided to use the militia of the city to carry out an attack against the Papacy of Rome.

    Despite the great development that invested it during the late twelfth century and that made it become one of the most important centers of Italy, in 1207 the city was excommunicated because residence of the Popes considered heretics.

    On this occasion, the Rome of the Papacy defeated the anti­papal Viterbo.

    Throughout the thirteenth century the government of Viterbo alternated the great families of the territory, such as Gatti and Di Vico. On this occasion the Popes Alexander IV and Urban IV chose it as their permanent residence. There were many other popes elected in Viterbo, among which Gregory IX, John XXI, Nicholas III and Martin IV.

    The history of this city was thus always linked to that of the Papacy, until the advent of the Kingdom of Italy, when there was a gap and Viterbo took part in the entire history of Italy.

  • Events Viterbo

    • The Machine of Santa Rosa:on the occasion of the celebration of Santa Rosa, the patron saint of the city of Viterbo, the famous machinery of Santa Rosa ­a canopy of about 30 meters­ is lifted and carried in procession throughout the city.
    • San Pellegrino in Fiore:the event takes place in the first days of May and on this occasion the small squares, ancient palaces and fountains, are adorned with colorful flowers.
    • Caffeine Festival:The event takes place from late June until the first week of July for 10 days of events, shows and many guests.
    • Barocco Festival and Tuscia Opera Festival:From late July through early September in Viterbo these two events take place, with a festival of major cultural and musical events.
    • Tuscia in Jazz:The event is one of the most important jazz festivals in Italy and embraces numerous localities of the province of Viterbo, with many appointments and lots of good music.
    • Tuscia Film Fest:Event that takes place in mid­-August to celebrate the Italian cinema, with many screenings, meetings and events. On this occasion it is also delivered the prizes Pipolo,Tuscia Cinema and Cinema Earth Award. More information on www.tusciafilmfest.com;
    • Medioera:With a name somewhere between the Middle Ages and the New Age, Medioera is an event that comes to technologies, new digital media, social networks and everything that is related to the digital age, all immersed in the purely Medieval air of Viterbo.
    • Annunziata Fair:On the occasion of the feast of the Annunciation, on March 25, in Viterbo there is the big fair with many stands and stalls. An excellent opportunity to take a leisurely ride through the ancient streets of the famous city of the Popes.
    • Christmas markets:during the Christmas season,Viterbo dresses up with its traditional markets.

    Scopri gli eventi in corso

  • Typical Products of Viterbo

    • Hazelnuts:typical local product, DOP Nocciola quality Romana is used in many dishes, especially desserts typical of the area.
    • Chestnuts:From the forests of the area many delicious chestnuts are produced and used as a key ingredient of many traditional desserts.
    • Pangiallo:typical Christmas cake made with chocolate, walnuts, hazelnuts, dried figs, almonds and pine nuts. A bundle of energy, which until a few years ago was not available on the market, because the recipe was handed down from mother to daughter who made it at home.
    • Macaroni with walnuts:This is a typical sweet of the tradition and it is often made during the Christmas season. It consists of a plate of pasta topped with nuts and sugar and assembled in a kind of pie­-shaped dome.
    • Wine:In Viterbo and its surroundings are produced white and red wines of unique taste, ideal as an accompaniment to the typical local dishes.
    • Olive oil:From the surrounding olive groves, it is produced an excellent olive oil along with exquisite olives ready to be eaten. The oil produced is typical of Tuscia, rich and strong in flavor, with a spicy and aromatic aftertaste.
    • Salumi:Among hams, capocolli, sausages and the famous couples, Viterbo boasts a wide variety of typical products linked to salami and sausages, high quality.