Viterbo is located in the region of Lazio, which is within the central peninsular section of the country; it is also the capital of the province, which bears the same name. It is an ancient city that is surrounded by Monti Cimini, which is a heavily forested volcanic hill and lies approximately 35 miles northwest of Rome and the Monti Volsini, which is a minor mountain range, whose highest peak tops out at 645 meters above sea level.
The historical area of the city is still surrounded by medieval walls, which were built in the 11th and 12th centuries. The only way into this section of the city is via the ancient gates. The climate here is Mediterranean and the average summer highs range from 21 degrees in May to 29/30 degrees in July and August.
There are many places to visit here as the historic centre is one of the preserved medieval towns in Italy; the most popular sight is the Palazzo dei Papi or the Papal Palace and coming in a close second is the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo, which has seen numerous rebuilds since the 16th century. In addition to these main sights there is the Santa Maria della Salute, which is a small but impressive gothic church, the Rocca, which is a castle, the Fontana Grande in the homonymous square.
The city museum is home to a fantastic array of archaeological finds that range in age from pre-historic to Roman times. There is also an art gallery here, which houses works by artists such as Sebastiano del Piombo, Salvator Rosa and Antiveduto Grammatica. If you prefer the outdoors, then there is a lovely botanical garden to explore, which is called Orto Botanico dell'Universitŕ della Tuscia. The garden has a number of different sections, which range from African Oasis to Mexican desert.
The Arcione River Valley is home to a number of springs that are claimed to have healing properties. Here you will also find the ruins of Roman bath that are still visible. The most famous of these thermal springs is the Bulicame or Bubbling Place.
During the months of July and August the Tuscia Opera Festival is held in Viterbo. Part of this festival revolves around offering parts in the Ensemble program, as well as the main Opera roles to Americans. Auditions are held in the winter and spring in New York and Washington DC.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Viterbo? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Viterbo and villas in Viterbo that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
