Comune di Viterbo
Municipal coat of arms
Location of Viterbo in Italy
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Viterbo (VT)
Mayor	Giancarlo Gabbianelli
Elevation	326 m (1,070 ft)
Area	406. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest For the football club see SS Lazio Lazio ( Latium in Latin) is a regione of central In Italy, a Province (in Italian provincia) is an administrative division of intermediate level between Municipality ( Comune The Province of Viterbo (Provincia di Viterbo is a province in the Lazio region of Italy. 28 km² (157 sq mi)
Population
- Total	60,537
- Density	149/km² (386/sq mi)
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	42°25′N, 12°06′E
Gentilic	Viterbesi
Dialing code	0761
Postal code	01100
Frazioni	Fastello, Grotte Santo Stefano, Sant'Angelo, Monterazzano, Bagnaia, La Quercia, San Martino al Cimino
Patron	Saint Rose of Viterbo
- Day	September 4
Website: comune.viterbo.it

Viterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. Central European Time ( CET) is one of the names of the Time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. UTC+1 is used in the following locations Central European Time West Africa Time Western European Summer Time A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place Here are a list of area codes in Italy. All numbers here begin with the country code (0039 A frazione, in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a Comune; for other Administrative Saint Rose of Viterbo (1235– March 6, 1252) was a Virgin Saint, born at Viterbo, Italy. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself In Italy, the comune, (plural comuni) is the basic Administrative division of both provinces and regions and may be properly approximated in Latium was a region of ancient Italy, home to the original Latin people. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Province of Viterbo (Provincia di Viterbo is a province in the Lazio region of Italy. It is approximately 100 kilometers (60 mi) north of Rome on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and Monti Volsini. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 The Via Cassia was an important Roman road striking out of the Via Flaminia near the Milvian Bridge in the immediate vicinity of Rome and passing The Monte Cimini, in English Cimini Hills, are a range of densely wooded Volcanic hills approximately 35 Miles north-west of Rome. The Monti Volsini or Vulsini are a minor Mountain range in northern Lazio, Italy, near the Lake Bolsena. The historic center of the city is surrounded by medieval walls, still intact, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. Entrance to the walled center of the city is through ancient gates.

Apart from agriculture, the main resources of Viterbo's area are pottery, marble and wood. The town also hosts the Italian gold reserves, an important Academy of Fine Arts, the University of Tuscia and is located in a wide thermal area attracting many tourist from the whole central Italy. The Tuscia University ( Italian: Università degli Studi della Tuscia, UNITUS is a university located in Viterbo, Italy.

History

Although Viterbo is very ancient, its precise origins are unknown. According to the notorious forger, Annio of Viterbo, it originated as an Etruscan town. Annio da Viterbo or Annius of Viterbo (c 1432 &ndash 13 November[[ 502]] or Joannes Annius Viterb(iensis, was an Italian Dominican friar Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to the culture and way of life of a people of ancient Italy At any rate, on the present site of Viterbo, or nearby, there was a little Roman colony (Vicus Elbii); whether this is the same center referred to as Vetus Urbs ("Old City") in the Middle Ages is uncertain.

The first firm report of the new city dates to the 8th century, when it is identified as Castrum Viterbii. The 8th century is the period from 701 to 800 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. It was fortified in 773 by the Lombard king Desiderius in his vain attempt to conquer Rome. Events By Place Europe Charlemagne crosses the Alps and invades the kingdom of the Lombards. The Lombards ( Latin Langobardi, whence the alternative names Langobards and Longobards) were a Germanic people originally from Desiderius (also known as Daufer or Dauferius; Didier in French and Desiderio in Italian) was the last king of the Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 When the Popes switched to the Frankish support, Viterbo became part of the Papal States, but this status was to be highly contested by the Emperors in the following centuries, until in 1095 it is known it was a free comune. The term Holy Roman Church refers strictly to the Church of Rome, the Diocese of Rome, the Holy See or the Apostolic See — they are all one The Franks or Frankish people (Franci or gens Francorum) were West Germanic tribes first identified in the 3rd century as an Ethnic group The Papal States, State(s of the Church or Pontifical States (in Italian Stato Ecclesiastico, Stato della Chiesa, Stati della Chiesa Communes in Europe in the Middle Ages were sworn allegiances of mutual defense (both physical defense and of traditional freedoms among community members of a town or city

In a period in which the Popes had difficulties asserting their authority over Rome, Viterbo became their favourite residence, beginning with Pope Eugene III (1145-1146) who was besieged in vain in the city walls. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Pope In 1164 Frederick Barbarossa made Viterbo the seat of his Antipope Paschal III. Frederick I Barbarossa (1122 &ndash 10 June 1190) was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned Antipope Paschal III (or Paschal III) was Antipope from 1164 to September 20, 1168. Three years later he gave it the title of "city" and used its militias against Rome. In 1172 Viterbo started its expansion, destroying the old city of Ferentum and conquering other lands: in this age it was a rich and prosperous comune, one of the most important of Central Italy, with a population of almost 60,000.

In 1207, Pope Innocent III held a council in the cathedral, but the city was later excommunicated as favourite seat of the heretical Patari and even defeated by the Romans. Pope Innocent III ( February 22, 1161 &ndash June 16, 1216) born Lotario de' Conti di Segni, was Pope from January In 1210, however, Viterbo managed to defeat the Emperor Otto IV and was again in war against Rome. Otto IV of Brunswick (1175 or 1176 – May 19, 1218) was one of two rival kings of the Holy Roman Empire from 1198 on sole king from 1208 on and emperor

In the 13th century it was ruled alternately by the tyrants of the Gatti and Di Vico families. Frederick II drew Viterbo to the Ghibelline side in 1240, but when the citizens expelled his turbulent German troops in 1243 he returned and besieged the city, but in vain. Frederick II ( December 26, 1194 &ndash December 13, 1250) of the Hohenstaufen dynasty was a Pretender to the title The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting respectively the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in central and northern Italy The Siege of Viterbo was fought in 1243 between the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and the rebellious city of Viterbo, 50 km north to Rome From that point Viterbo was always a loyal Guelph. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting respectively the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in central and northern Italy Between 1257 and 1261 it was the seat of Pope Alexander IV, who also died here. Pope Alexander IV (1199 or ca 1185 &ndash May 25 1261) was Pope from 1254 until his death His successor Urban IV was elected in Viterbo.

In 1266-1268 Clement IV chose Viterbo as the base of his ruthless fight against the Hohenstaufen: here, from the loggia of the Papal Palace, he excommunicated the army of Conradin of Swabia which was passing on the Via Cassia, with the prophetical motto of the "lamb who is going to the sacrifice". Pope Clement IV ( Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, November 23, year ca 1195 &ndash November 29, 1268 in Viterbo) born Gui Faucoi Palazzo dei Papi is a palace in Viterbo, northern Latium, Italy. Conradin is also a character in the short story Sredni Vashtar. Swabia, Suabia, or Svebia ( German: Schwaben, Schwabenland or Ländle) is both a historic and linguistic The Via Cassia was an important Roman road striking out of the Via Flaminia near the Milvian Bridge in the immediate vicinity of Rome and passing Other popes elected in Viterbo were Gregory IX (1271) and John XXI (1276) (who died in the Papal Palace when the floor of his room crumbled down), Nicholas III and the French Martin IV. Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti, was Pope from March 19, 1227 to August Pope John (numbering Pope John XXI (1215 – May 20, 1277) born Pedro Julião ( Latin, Petrus Iulianus) a Portuguese also Pope Nicholas III ( Rome, 1210/1220 &ndash August 22, 1280) born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Pope Martin IV (between 1210 and 1220 &ndash March 28, 1285) born Simon de Brion, held the Papacy from February 21, 1281 The Viterbese, who did not agree with the election of a foreigner directed by the King of Naples, Charles I of Anjou, invaded the cathedral where the conclave was held, arresting two of the cardinals. The Kingdom of Naples was an informal name of the Polity officially known as the Kingdom of Sicily which existed on the mainland of the southern Italian Charles I ( 21 March 1226 &ndash 7 January 1285) commonly called Charles of Anjou, was the King of Sicily by conquest A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals to elect the Pope (or Bishop of Rome) who is considered by Catholics to be the Successor They were subsequently excommunicated, and the Popes avoided Viterbo for 86 years.

Without the Popes, the city fell into the hands of the Di Vicos. In the 14th century, Giovanni Di Vico had created a seignory extending to Civitavecchia, Tarquinia, Bolsena, Orvieto, Todi, Narni and Amelia. Civitavecchia is a town and Comune of the Province of Rome in the central Italian region of Latium. Tarquinia, formerly Corneto and in Antiquity Tarquinii, is an ancient city in the Province of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy. Bolsena is a town and Comune of Italy, in the Province of Viterbo in northern Lazio on the eastern shore of Lake Bolsena. Orvieto is a city in southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of Todi is a town and Comune (municipality of the Province of Perugia ( Umbria) in central Italy. Narni is an ancient hilltown and Comune of Umbria in central Italy, with 20100 inhabitants according to the 2003 census at altitude 240 m (787 ft His dominion was crushed by Cardinal Gil de Albornoz in 1354, sent by the Avignonese popes to recover the Papal States, who built the Castle. Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz ( Italian: Egidio Albornoz; 1310 - August 23 1367) was a Spanish cardinal and Avignon (/aviɲɔ̃/ in French) ( Provençal: Avinhon in classical norm or Avignoun in Mistralian norm is a commune The Papal States, State(s of the Church or Pontifical States (in Italian Stato Ecclesiastico, Stato della Chiesa, Stati della Chiesa In 1375 the city gave its keys to Francesco Di Vico, son of the previous tyrant, but thirteen years later the people killed him and assigned the city first to Pope Urban VI, and then to Giovanni di Sciarra di Vico, Francesco's cousin. Pope Urban VI (c 1318 &ndash October 15, 1389) born Bartolomeo Prignano, was Pope from 1378 to 1389 But Pope Boniface IX's troops drove him away in 1396 and established a firm Papal suzerainty over the city. Pope Boniface IX (1356 &ndash October 1, 1404) born Piero Tomacelli, was the second Roman Pope of the Western Schism from November The last Di Vico to hold power in Viterbo was Giacomo, who was defeated in 1431.

Thenceforth Viterbo became a city of secondary importance, following the vicissitudes of the Papal States. The Papal States, State(s of the Church or Pontifical States (in Italian Stato Ecclesiastico, Stato della Chiesa, Stati della Chiesa In the 16th century it was the birthplace of Latino Latini. Latino Latini (Latinus Latinius was born in Viterbo ca 1513 and died on 21 January 1593. It becoming part of Italy in 1871. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Palazzo Papale.

The Cathedral.

Main sights

Viterbo's historic center is one of the best preserved medieval towns of central Italy. Many of the older buildings (particularly churches) are built on top of ancient ruins, recognizable by their large stones, 50 centimeters to a side.

The main attraction of Viterbo is the Papal Palace (Palazzo dei Papi), that served as a country residence and a repair in time of trouble in Rome. Palazzo dei Papi is a palace in Viterbo, northern Latium, Italy. The columns of the palace are spolia from a Roman temple.

The second most important monument of the city is the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo. The Duomo di Viterbo, (or Viterbo Cathedral) officially named the Cathedral of San Lorenzo is the main church of the city of Viterbo in the Province It was erected in Romanesque style by Lombard architects over a temple of Hercules. Romanesque art refers to the art of Western Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style in the 13th century or later depending on region Lombardy (Lombardia Latin: Langobardia, Western Lombard: Lumbardìa, Eastern Lombard: Lombardia) is one of the Hercules is the Roman name for the Mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. It was variously rebuilt from the 16th century on, and was heavily damaged in 1944 by Allied bombs. Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The notable Gothic belfry is from the first half of the 14th century, and shows influence of Senese artists. This article is about Gothic art See also Gothic architecture Gothic art was a Medieval art movement that lasted about 200 Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Siena. The church houses the sarcophagus of Pope John XXI and the picture Christ Blessing by Gerolamo da Cremona (1472). Pope John (numbering Pope John XXI (1215 – May 20, 1277) born Pedro Julião ( Latin, Petrus Iulianus) a Portuguese also

Other notable monuments are:

• The Palazzo Comunale (begun 1460), Palazzo del Podestà (1264) and Palazzo della Prefettura (rebuilt 1771) on the central square Piazza del Plebiscito. Year 1771 ( MDCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Palazzo Comunale houses a series of 16th century and Baroque frescoes by Tarquinio Ligustri, Bartolomeo Cavarozzi and others. Baroque art redirects here Please disambiguate such links to Baroque painting, Baroque sculpture, etc Bartolomeo Cavarozzi (c 1590-1625 was a Italian painter of the Baroque period active in Spain, alongside his master Giovanni Battista Crescenzi
• The small Gothic church of Santa Maria della Salute, which has a rich portal. This article is about Gothic art See also Gothic architecture Gothic art was a Medieval art movement that lasted about 200
• The Romanesque Chiesa del Gesù (11th century). Romanesque art refers to the art of Western Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style in the 13th century or later depending on region Here the sons of Simon de Montfort stabbed to death Henry of Almain, son of Richard of Cornwall. Simon IV de Montfort Seigneur de Montfort-l'Amaury 5th Earl of Leicester (1160 &ndash June 25, 1218) also known as Simon de Montfort the elder, was Henry of Almain ( 2 November 1235 Haughley Castle &ndash 13 March 1271 Viterbo) so called because of his father's German Richard of Cornwall ( 5 January 1209 – 2 April 1272) was Count of Poitou (from 1225 to 1243 Earl of Cornwall (from
• The Palazzo Farnese (14th-15th century), where Alessandro Farnese, the future Pope Paulus III, lived in his youth together with his beautiful sister, Giulia Farnese. Pope Paul III ( February 29, 1468 &ndash November 10, 1549) born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Giulia Farnese ( 1474 - 23 march 1524) was one of the mistresses of the Pope Alexander VI.
• The Rocca (castle).
• The Romanesque churches of Santa Maria Nuova (12th century), San Sisto (second half of the 9th century), and San Giovanni in Zoccoli (11th century). The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era.
• The Palazzo degli Alessandri in the old district, a typical patrician house of Middle Ages Viterbo.
• The Fontana Grande, began in 1206.
• The Gothic church of San Francesco, built over a pre-existing Lombard fortress. It has a single nave with Latin cross plan. It houses the sepulchre of Pope Adrian V, who died in Viterbo on August 17, 1276, considered the first monument by Arnolfo di Cambio. Pope Adrian V (c 1205 &ndash August 18, 1276) born Ottobuono de' Fieschi was Pope in 1276 Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Arnolfo di Cambio (c 1240 &ndash 1300/1310 was an Italian Architect and sculptor.

The Museo Civico (City Museum) houses many archeological specimens from the pre-historical to Roman times, plus a Pinacoteca (gallery) with paintings of Sebastiano del Piombo, Antoniazzo Romano, Salvator Rosa, Antiveduto Grammatica and others. Sebastiano del Piombo (c 1485 Venice &ndash June 21, 1547, Rome) byname of Sebastiano Luciani, was an Italian Antoniazzo Romano, born Antonio di Benedetto Aquilo degli Aquili (c Salvator Rosa ( 1615 - March 15, 1673) was an Italian Baroque painter poet and Printmaker, active in Naples Rome Antiveduto Grammatica was a proto- Baroque Italian painter active near Rome. The Orto Botanico dell'Università della Tuscia is a botanical garden operated by the university. The Orto Botanico dell'Università della Tuscia (15 hectares is a natural area and Botanical garden operated by Tuscia University and located at Località Bulicame Botanical gardens grow a wide variety of Plants primarily to categorize and document for scientific purposes

Patron saints

Santa Maria Rosa is the patron saint of Viterbo. Saint Rose of Viterbo (1235– March 6, 1252) was a Virgin Saint, born at Viterbo, Italy. The legend of Santa Rosa is that she helped to eradicate those few who supported the emperors instead of the Popes, around 1250. San Lorenzo is the male patron saint. A native of Viterbo, Blessed Dominic Barberi, was born on 22 June, 1792 and would later minister in England. Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, born Dominic Barberi, a member of the Passionist Congregation and theologian born near Viterbo Italy 22 June 1792 died England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

Macchina di Santa Rosa

The transport of the Macchina di S. Rosa takes place every year, on September 3, at 9 o'clock in the evening. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius The Macchina is an artistic illuminated bell-tower with an imposing height of 30 m. It weighs between 3. 5 and 5 tonnes and is made of iron, wood and papier-mâché. Papier-mâché ( French for 'chewed-up paper' because of its appearance sometimes called paper-mâché, is a construction material that consists of pieces of At the top of the tower, the statue of the Patron Saint is enthusiastically acclaimed by the people in the streets of the town centre, where lights are turned off for the occasion. One hundred and thirty Viterbesi men (known as the Facchini) carry the Macchina from Porta Romana through the each of the major streets of Viterbo, concluding with a strenuous ascension up to the Piazza di Santa Rosa, its final resting place. Each Macchina has a life span of five years, after which a new one is built.

Stemmi

Viterbo has two stemmi (heraldic badges): The Lion and the Palm Tree. The lion represents Hercules, one of the mythological founders of Viterbo. Hercules is the Roman name for the Mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. The palm tree was added sometime in the dark ages (4th-9th century CE) when Viterbo conquered and absorbed a neighboring town. The letters FAUL, often surround the badges. It is unclear what they refer to. Some suggest the four legendary Etruscan nobles families, believed to be involved in the founding of the city, while others claim that they are in reference to the four hills of Viterbo.

Airport

Viterbo currently has a small military air force base, located 3km from the town. Rome Viterbo Airport ( Italian: Aeroporto di Roma-Viterbo is a proposed re-use of Viterbo Air Force Base, a Civilian, commercial On November 26, 2007, Italian transport minister Alessandro Bianchi announced that Viterbo had been chosen as the site of the next Airport in Lazio to serve Rome, over Latina, Frosinone, and Guidonia. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Alessandro Bianchi (born 28 January 1945 in Rome) is the current Italian Minister of Transportation Frosinone is a town and Comune in Lazio, central Italy, the Capital of the Province of Frosinone. Guidonia Montecelio is a town in the Province of Rome, Lazio, central Italy. ^[1]

External links

• Official website, including a virtual tour of the city
• Viterbo Tourist Promotion
• ViterboOnline.Com
• Festa delle Ciliegie (Cherry Festival and other information)
• SYA.Org
• Viterbo on Wikitravel
• Basket in Tuscia Basketball in Viterbo area
• Map
• Viterbo Video Guide

Note