The guided tour of Viterbo will give you the opportunity to discover the various styles of an ancient town from the Middle Ages to the elegant buildings of the papal seat. Let's explore this jewel of Tuscia by crossing Porta Romana, one of the gateways to the fortified town in medieval times and visiting the characteristic medieval district of San Pellegrino, the largest medieval historic center in Europe.
Walking through the suggestive streets you will be amazed by the buildings with their natural beauty such as the Palazzo degli Alessandri or Casa Poscia and looking up elegant loggias, balconies, towers and steps offer ideas for postcard photos. The tour continues arriving at the religious heart of Viterbo with its beautiful noble palaces such as Palazzo Farnese.
In Viterbo there is a very strong devotion to Santa Rosa, patron saint of the town, with its traditions such as the Machine of Santa Rosa, an event that welcomes thousands of tourists and which has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every year, on September 3rd, the Machine of Santa Rosa is carried on the shoulders of the faithful during a triumphant procession, with the statue of the saint illuminated by torches and electric lights. After discovering the history of the saint and her sanctuary, the tour reaches the monumental complex of Colle del Duomo, which houses the Papal Palace (external visit), the papal residence from 1257 to 1281 and the site of the first and longest conclave in the history of the Church of Rome, and the Loggia delle Benedizioni (external visit), so called because the Popes used to bless the people from this location. The loggia is characterized by seven arches with columns and a central fountain.
The guided tour ends with a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Lorenzo, the main religious building of Viterbo, located in the impressive monumental complex of Colle del Duomo. From the outside, you will admire the elegant Romanesque façade, the distinctive Gothic bell tower with its two-tone decorations, and its harmonious structure set in the heart of the medieval city. Inside, the cathedral preserves an atmosphere rich in history and spirituality, with precious artworks, side chapels, decorations, and architectural elements that tell the story of the building’s different historical periods. In this extraordinary church, the eight Popes elected in Viterbo were crowned, when the city was the papal seat and played a key role in important events in the history of the Church.
