Defined for centuries the city of the Popes, in memory of the period in which the papal seat was moved to this city that still bears the signs of that splendor, despite having even more ancient origins... #tuttitaly
In Upper Lazio, in a beautiful area called Tuscia, characterized by enchanting villages and uncontaminated nature, rises Viterbo, a city of Etruscan origins.
Viterbo is called the "City of the Popes" because the heirs of Peter took refuge there, especially during the Capitoline riots, but also because the first conclave occurred here.
For the election of Gregory X, the citizens forced the bishops to elect a Pope. The bishops, after 33 months of not deciding to vote, were locked inside the hall; and it seems that from which the word conclave derives: cum clave (closed with the key).
Gray is the color that dominates the city: the color of the Peperino volcanic stone.
What to see
In addition to hosting what the inhabitants define as "the largest medieval quarter in Europe" (San Pellegrino), it preserves numerous architectural works of great value, each of which tells a story.
The Church of Santa Maria della Ginestra was occupied in 1479 by the Confraternity of Mercy to prepare those sentenced to capital punishment for death.
The ropes used to hang prisoners seem to be stored in a box under the altar.
The robust and elegant bell tower of the Church of Sant'Andrea Apostolo supports two bells. Here, on June 19, 1867, a member of the Viterbo musical band was hit by the clapper, which suddenly detached from the bell.
Also noteworthy is the Church of Santa Croce dei Mercanti, which has a portal decorated with an intertwining of vines, leaves, and bunches of grapes.
On a leaf, at the top left, we can see a lizard which is a sign of humility, while according to others, an emblem of divine wisdom and good luck.
Look for the writings engraved in the Loggia of the Civic Museum of Viterbo, which seem to be the work of prisoners imprisoned there around 1760.
Inside the Monastery of Santa Rosa, in the 15th century, there was a prison dedicated to nuns who resisted.
The beautiful Pianoscarano Fountain has a miniature copy in the courtyard of the building of the Autonomous Public Housing Institute of Piazza Tuscolo in Rome. In contrast, the Fountain of Piazza Fontana Grande has a copy in the city of Rhodes in Greece.
Another curiosity is that the Palazzo del Comune was once a shelter for the mentally ill run by the Sisters.
Gastronomy
Viterbo cuisine is linked to the history and tradition of the area. Among the typical dishes, we find acquacotta, pignataccia, cicerchiata, bagnone viterbese, chickpea, chestnut soup, and panzanella.
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