비테르보‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪20‬개의 동굴

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.

The village of Sutri is located on the Via Cassia, it is worth a stop to visit the wonderful archaeological area and the rock necropolis

The overnight stay at the Castello was THE highlight of our trip. It was quirky and unique, as the elderly countess also gave a private tour of her castle. A fortified castle with 1,000 years of history, it's privately run. The rooms are furnished as they were 100 years ago, but with a private bathroom. The pool, like the restaurant, is set in an "enchanted" castle park. The restaurant is excellent, as the countess also serves and, alongside the staff, looks after the guests. The whole experience is quirky and unique.

The gate bears the coat of arms of Vitorchiano with the inscription SPQR (for which the village received permission from Rome). The gate is part of the old wall that extends for about two hundred and fifty metres on the south side of Vitorchiano. The tower above the gate dates from the 13th century. The old city walls (Le Mura Castellane) have several towers, each built of peperino stone and dovetail battlements with loopholes in between.

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.

Beautiful village

The Rocca Farnese, located in Tuscia, is an imposing 16th-century structure built around a medieval tower, which dominates the historic center of Ischia di Castro. The palace, unfinished for centuries, was recently restored by the new owner, bringing to light ancient forms and a walled Renaissance loggia. Originally built in the 13th century as a fortress, it was transformed into a palace in the 16th century, perhaps designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. It was the residence of the Farnese, lords of the Duchy of Castro, and, after the end of the duchy in 1649, it passed to the Apostolic Chamber and various families.

Past the old monastery you will arrive at the old borgo. The elevated old village has been depopulated since the 19th century and has become a real ruin due to erosion and earthquakes. In 1951 it was completely abandoned. Only the old market square and the castle are accessible, the old houses are completely dilapidated and overgrown with plants over the years. The Orsini castle at the entrance of Celleno antico is the most beautiful building in the borgo. It has a large watchtower and the castle is surrounded by a deep moat. It was recently restored and inhabited by the artist Enrico Castellani. This artist was internationally known (he also studied in Brussels) and died on 1 December 2017. On the old market square you can see a beautiful rectangular bell tower, in 3 layers and made of tuff. Only the walls of the old church San Carlo (17th century), left of the castle, remain. Close to the market square is the church of San Donato from the year 1000 in Romanesque style, with a very beautiful portal in basalt stone.