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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.

nice crossing point

Walking along via S. Egidio, you will find the beginning of this short but very suggestive path inside a "via cava" (roads dug through the tuff that connected the bottom of the valley with the territories above and, in other areas, were also used to drain excess water from agricultural land). This via cava is full of caves dug directly into the tuff, probably used as stables or cellars to store wine or food.

What a wonderful place especially if you reach it by bike!

It is impossible not to know the beech forest if you are from the area

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.

The beautiful Sutri

large beech forest with various paths to follow