カプラーニカ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.

Herbs Square / Piazza delle Erbe The square, originally dedicated to Saint Stephen, has changed name and appearance over the centuries. It is home to historic fountains, Palazzo Gatti, and the Casa della Pace.

In the heart of Viterbo, Piazza delle Erbe owes its name to the vegetable market held there since the Middle Ages, when the square was a vital hub of city life. At its center is the Fountain of the Lions, built between 1621 and 1625, with its basin decorated with lions and marble coats of arms reminiscent of the city's coat of arms.

The old railway line is almost completely overgrown.

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

The Papal Palace in Viterbo served as the Vatican for the 24 years of the thirteenth century when the papacy moved there due to ongoing unrest in Rome.