ヴィーコ湖のおすすめツーリングルート

Small medieval part of town that has only dead-end streets.

The Signorino road, of Etruscan origin, is a deep underground passage carved into the tuff that connects the Signorino district (named after a 15th-century family) to Porta Faul. It winds between high tuff walls that reach 12 meters at their highest points. It is also known as Cava S. Antonio (St. Anthony's Cave) after a shrine dedicated to the saint located on one of its walls. Along the road there is a cave called the Devil 's Cave , and some legends tell of strange nocturnal processions of Lucumoni (ancient Etruscan priests). For this reason, especially during the Middle Ages, crosses were carved on the tuff walls to protect travelers from the devil. The shrine dedicated to St. Anthony may have served this purpose.

Viterbo lived its period of major splendor and power in the 13th century when it was chosen as the seat of the papacy instead of Rome, where powerful warring families made life too dangerous. Eight different popes lived in Viterbo making it is similar to Vatican City and Avignon in France. The longest papal conclave in history happened here from 1 December 1268 to 1 September 1271. Following Pope Clement IV's death, infighting between cardinals and political pressure led to a 34-month deadlock. The cardinals were locked up cum clave (hence the word conclave) inside the palace’s large Conclave Hall. In desperation the town’s population, who were feeding them and their entourages, eventually reduced the cardinals’ food and wine supplies, trying to speed up the election. Time wore on and they finally decided to remove the roof of the palace: in order to help the Holy Spirit come down and illuminate them, it was quipped. That worked.

Capranica is a village in Tuscia, built on a tuff cliff between the Cimini Mountains and the Mignone River valley. Its origins are Etruscan, but the center we see today retains its medieval charm, with narrow streets, arches, ancient gates, and evocative churches such as that of Santa Maria Maddalena. Hazelnut groves, olive groves, and woods extend all around, creating a distinctive landscape. It's a pleasant stop on the Via Francigena, where history and nature meet in an authentic and welcoming atmosphere.

Nature reserve

A beautifully constructed path through the tuff rock. Very impressive and interesting.

...easy to ride...well...nature reserve - dirt road/dirt, potholed track, but rideable with a bike/luggage. The prohibition signs probably only apply to cars, etc. A police officer even opened the barrier for me at the end.

...is on the Via Francigenia pilgrimage route (hiking route)...