Viterbo between Etruscan heritage, nature and hiking trails

Viterbo: where history meets landscape

Viterbo combines medieval urban history, Etruscan heritage and protected landscapes to create a destination with many different facets. In the 13th century, Viterbo was the seat of the papacy; the popes resided in the Palazzo Papale. In the historic San Pellegrino district, paving, buildings, vaulted houses, arches, loggias and characteristic profferli – external staircases between the courtyard and ground floor – preserve its medieval character. The district is one of the largest medieval urban quarters in Europe.

The Via Francigena also runs through Viterbo's historic district, along the Via San Pellegrino. Etruscan archaeology takes centre stage at the Museo Nazionale Etrusco Rocca Albornoz; the museum is housed in the Rocca of the same name. A special cultural event is the Macchina di Santa Rosa: one hundred Facchini carry it through the streets of Viterbo. The tradition belongs to the UNESCO-recognised network of shoulder-borne processional structures and takes place every year on the evening of 3 September.

Etruscan sites and distinctive architecture

The necropolis of Tarquinia (Monterozzi) comprises 6,000 tombs carved into the rock. Two hundred of them are decorated with paintings; the oldest date from the 7th century BC. Near Norchia, numerous tombs lie on tuff terraces in the valley of the Pile. These include the Tomba Ciarlanti, the Tomba a Camino and the Tomba Prostila, dating from the 4th century BC. The necropolis of Norchia is freely accessible, and admission is free.

The monumental necropolis of Castel d'Asso lies opposite the city of Viterbo. Its tombs are carved into red tuff and arranged on two or three levels, one above the other. For some archaeological areas, visits in autumn or winter with suitable clothing and, if possible, accompanied by a local guide are recommended because of the difficult access. Ferento, an Etruscan-Roman city with a well-preserved theatre where open-air performances are held, is also located near Viterbo.

The Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola is an ensemble created by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola that combines the features of a fortress, palace and villa. The complex includes a circular courtyard within a pentagonal ground plan, a remarkable spiral staircase, an important Mannerist fresco cycle and the Sala del Mappamondo, featuring a depiction of the celestial sphere and geographical maps. In the Forre di Corchiano natural monument, the landscape also preserves a section of the Via Amerina.

Protected areas, forests and trails

The Monte Casoli di Bomarzo nature reserve, established in 1999 under regional law L.R. 30, covers 285 hectares and lies entirely within the municipality of Bomarzo. Numerous animal species live there, including the rare Lanner falcon and the black kite. The management promotes the use of natural resources for educational and recreational purposes.

Parco Marturanum features ravines cut by streams into flat tuff plateaus, as well as clay hills with forests and grazing areas. Several officially marked CAI trails cross the park, including long-distance trails and connecting paths that make circular hikes possible. CAI Trail 103 crosses the province of Viterbo from the Monti Cimini to the sea between Soriano al Cimino and Tarquinia.

On the northern slope of Monte Cimino lies area IT6010022, designated as a Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation. Marked CAI trails make it possible to explore the distinctive features of this slope. The ancient beech forest in the Cimini Mountains near Soriano nel Cimino forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”, or the corresponding serial site of centuries-old beech forests.

The Lago di Vico nature reserve encompasses mountain landscapes, marshland, a volcanic lake, beaches, oak forests and high-trunk beech forests. Its wildlife is rich in species and ranges from numerous fish species and small and large mammals to diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, as well as waterbirds such as the great crested grebe. The third stage of the Cammino Tuscia runs through the Faggeta del Monte Cimino, a Special Area of Conservation, and the Lago di Vico nature reserve.

Plan your trip according to your interests

At Lake Bolsena, you can go sailing, fishing, canoeing, diving, trekking, mountain biking and horse riding. The medieval Rione Castello of Bolsena lies on a tuff spur above Lake Bolsena and is now home to the Territorial Museum of Lake Bolsena. When choosing your hotel or accommodation, you can therefore focus on different priorities: historic districts and museums in Viterbo, archaeological sites such as Tarquinia, Norchia and Castel d'Asso, or days spent enjoying nature and activities in protected areas, forests and around the lake. The marked trails and diverse landscapes provide orientation for a trip that combines culture and nature at different rhythms.

Other places

Civita, Bassano In Teverina, Tuscania, Vitorchiano, Bagnoregio, Bolsena, Capodimonte, Gradoli, Montefiascone, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Acquapendente, Bagnaia, Capranica, Caprarola, Castiglione In Teverina, Celleno, Civita Castellana, Collevecchio, Corchiano, Graffignano, Ischia Di Castro, Lubriano, Montalto Di Castro, Orte, Proceno, Ronciglione, Sutri, Tarquinia, Tre Croci, Marta, Carbognano, Farnese, Pian Di San Martino, Viterbo, Fabrica, Valentano Vt, Grotte Di Castro, Vetralla, Soriano Nel Cimino, Civitella Dʼagliano, Bassano Romano, Pescia Romana, Trevinano, Chia, Gallese, Canino, Chiusa, Piansano, Monterosi, Latera, Vignanello, Oriolo Romano, Bomarzo, Blera, Punta Del Lago, Arlena Di Castro, Tobia, Cava, Marina Velca, Fonte Vivola, Colle Farnese, Castel Sant'Elia, Acquapendente Torre Alfina, Fastello, Capraccia, Villa San Giovanni In Tuscia, Nepi, Civitella Cesi, Marina Di Pescia Romana, San Martino Al Cimino, Montalto Marina, Montecalvello, Cellere, San Michele In Teverina, Roccalvecce, Canepina, Calcata Vecchia, Sipicciano, Vallerano.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lazio.