viterbo historic centre

Viterbo is about 90 minutes' drive north of Rome and is a beautiful old village with some impressive, well-preserved medieval walls and buildings. Like many towns and villages around Rome various popes (and antipopes) have had their seat, resided, vacationed, or hidden here. The papal palace dates from the 13th century. The main aquare has superb buildings.

3000 years ago the Etruscans lived here and their presence is felt, scattered in necropolises and collected in museums. Popes came and went, as well as princes and cardinals, all of whom built grand houses with sumptuous gardens and some pretty awesome fortresses. I heard that every village in the region was founded by the Etruscans and then enobled by the succeeding popes. The most outstanding example is palazzo Farnese at Caprarola and villa Lante at Bagnaia, with its magnificent Italian garden. There is no doubt why Viterbo is known as the "city of the popes"... just check out the Papal palace, the pride of the city with a medieval district of San pellegrino one of the most interesting and best preserved in the region. Take a tour and revel in the wealth of architectural treasures found here. Lots of exterior staircases, lots of coats of arms decorating their facades, as well as, intimate piazzas, crenelated towers and graceful arches adorn the streets-cape. We have stayed in two hotels on previous visits: the Grand Hotel Salus della Terme and the Hotel Nibbio in the historic centre offering therapies for health and beauty. They failed to improve on my leonine looks, i must say. For local cuisine, la Zaffera is super, located in a former convent of San Bernardino in the San Pelegrino district. The Tre Re Restaurant behind the Piazza della Erbe dates to 1622 and is the oldest in Viterbo. Sample gelato at Chiodi while shopping for souvenirs at Cencion. I love Art Deco cast iron and hemp with the best examples of both are found at Matteucci. For the noble vine, Enoteca la Torre is a beautifully vaulted wine celler.

Clean and tidy town centre with plenty of historical monuments and buildings. You can understand the dichotomy of a town enriched by the strong presence of the papal state and its willingness to freedom.

Viterbo is not just a day trip attraction couple of hours away from Rome. It has the charming medieval quarter San Pellegrino where people actually live nowadays. All those stairs, gothic fountains, Palazzo Communale (now the town hall) on the central square (free entrance) with ceiling and wall paintings. Check out local pottery store when you are in the medieval quarter. We heard a story about the original local pottery style which was very interesting. Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes) and the Cathedral on the square are incredible. It can be a perfect getaway from Rome trip for a day. Trains run every hour or two (on Sundays) and you can enjoy the landscape on the way.

nice ancient town, with beautiful city center. It has a lot of shops, but also nice musea. Most of them can be visited for free.

If you visit Viterbo you have to go to the first floor of the town hall. Here you can walk free through the various rooms which have walls and ceilings that are beautifully decorated since it is in fact an old Palazzo. There is only a small sign by the green door to indicate the existence of it and if you are lucky someone at the tourist will point you to it. These are the things that really add to the experience of visiting Viterbo.

Really nice place to walk and take some aperitivo. There's a lot of good gelatos too. The stores close at 12:00 pm and open after 4:00pm.

A place of contrasts. Ancient medieval city leads into a shopping area via some graffiti strewn walls. You enter via a number of gates. Bigger than most towns around

One of the best preserved medieval quarters in all of Europe, if not the best. It is quiet and well-preserved, yet there is plenty to visit. Museums, churches, and of course, shops. But nothing intrudes on the special atmosphere of this area.

We have visited many beautiful towns in Italy and Viterbo has by far and away been the most disappointing. Clearly this town has some great historical highlights. Unfortunately it appears to have been neglected for some time. There is clearly some regeneration work underway but at present it is tired, dirty and covered in building materials, scaffolding and the like. Whilst looking at one of the fountains in the middle of town covered in pigeons droppings and plastic bottles we were approached by an elderly Italian lady telling us how it used to be beautiful. It seemed to sum up the whole town. We had intended to stay for lunch in the town but after a morning of sightseeing we left and went to Montefiascone instead. I would give this place another chance but it would be in a couple of years when they have had a chance to finish some of the works.

not overrun with tourists and many wonderful museums and churches available; explore the small lanes and take your time

We went to viterbo as an excursion on the train. We arrived about 1300 and intended to have a good look around and leave in the evening. Unlike Rome everything is closed for the afternoon. All shops all churches even restaurants. The whole place was asleep. It was nice to wander around the old streets but after two hours we decided to leave. You would have thought that perhaps something may have been open. Clearly they don't need tourism.

Beautiful ancient city! We enjoyed walking around the cobblestone streets. Lots of shopping and restaurants, if you are interested. While we were there, a parade happened! People in medieval costume with the corresponding music parading through the historic streets!

Great medieval quarter, the largest of anywhere in Italy we were told. It gave me the feeling of going back in time and experiencing what medieval Italy was like. Very well-preserved, clean, and interesting. Lovely places to dine, as well, either inside or al fresco.

Advisable to go to the information office for a map of the city. Take a stroll through the characteristic streets and historical centre. Lots of bars, restaurants and parking around. In every square there is something interesting to see, churches, the clock tower etc. Don't miss a visit to the town hall, absolutely fantastic!