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Viterbo was not born in a day.It emerged slowly—like a story carved in stone—between ancient myths , thermal springs , and medieval wars .To truly understand it, one must start from its roots. 🗿 From the First Settlements to Etruscan Legends The first traces of human presence in the territory of Viterbo date back to the Neolithic and Copper Ages ,with evidence found in sites such as the Rinaldone tombs  and the area around Ferento . Later, during the Etruscan era , the area saw small-scale settlements.The Duomo hill , for example, hosted an Etruscan outpost , probably identifiable with Surina  or Surna ,connected to the Lucumony of Tarquinia . In the 15th century, Dominican friar Giovanni Nanni , known as Annio of Viterbo ,formulated imaginative theories about the city’s origins.He claimed Viterbo was founded by Corinthus , son of Japheth , son of Noah ,and that it was once an Etruscan tetrapolis  made up of Fanum, Arbanum, Vetulonia, and Longula . 🛡️ Castrum Viterbii : The Birth of the Fortified City The first historical records of Viterbo appear in the 8th century ,when it was referred to as Castrum Viterbii . In 773 , Lombard King Desiderius  fortified the site in preparation for an invasion of Rome.Later, in 852 , a papal document officially recognized Castrum Viterbii as part of the Patrimony of Saint Peter . 🏛️ Rise in the Middle Ages: From Free Commune to City of Popes During the 11th century , Viterbo developed into a free commune , with the first consuls elected in 1099 .In the 12th century , the city consolidated its power,destroying the nearby rival Ferento  in 1172  and expanding its territory. In 1192 , Pope Celestine III  elevated Viterbo to the status of a bishopric ,marking another step in its political and religious rise. By the 13th century , Viterbo had become one of the most important cities in central Italy ,hosting numerous popes  and becoming the site of five papal conclaves  between 1261 and 1281 . The most famous conclave, held between 1268 and 1271 ,led to the election of Pope Gregory X  and the formal creation of the modern conclave system  still used today. 🌿 A City with Deep Roots Viterbo is a city whose roots reach deep into a past rich with history and legend . From prehistoric and Etruscan origins , through the Roman age  and the Middle Ages ,Viterbo has preserved and embraced its heritage—offering visitors a fascinating journey through the centuries .

In the heart of Viterbo, within the austere walls of the Palazzo dei Papi , one of the most surprising and dramatic episodes in Church history took place.It was the year 1268 . After the death of Pope Clement IV , the cardinals gathered in the City of the Popes to elect his successor.No one imagined it would take 33 months  to do so. ⏳ When Faith Meets Deadlock Tensions were high: pro-French and pro-Imperial factions clashed, each determined to impose its own candidate.Meanwhile, Viterbo waited. And waited.And waited some more. Two winters and three springs passed. No white smoke. No decision.The city—then as now—was practical and proud: it hosted, it endured... but not forever. 🔒 The Day the People Locked the Door So, in 1270 , the exasperated citizens of Viterbo  made a bold move that would change Church history forever:they locked the cardinals  inside the Conclave Hall , sealing the doors. “ Cum clave ”—“with a key”: hence the word conclave , still in use today. But it didn’t stop there. The people reduced the cardinals’ food rations , and according to some accounts—half legend, half truth—they even removed the roof  of the hall, exposing them to the sun, the rain… and public shame. 👑 A Pope, At Last After nearly three years , the miracle happened.In 1271 , Pope Gregory X  was finally elected—a man of balance and vision. Aware of the absurdity that had unfolded, he established the formal rules of the conclave  with the constitution Ubi Periculum , setting time limits and strict conditions for future papal elections. 🕯️ A Legacy That Still Lives On Today, if you visit the Palazzo dei Papi , and step into the Conclave Hall ,you can still feel the suspended tension of those endless days .The cold stones seem to hold their breath. And from that bold act by the people of Viterbo was born a solemn institution —respected for centuries, wrapped in mystery, and followed to this day. 📌 Did You Know? The 1268–1271 conclave remains the longest in the history of the Church . Dante Alighieri  referenced the papal residence in Viterbo in his political writings. The word conclave  was literally born within the walls of Viterbo . 🛶 Travel Tip If you visit Viterbo, don’t miss the Conclave Hall .Feel the silence.Look up through the loggia—where perhaps once, there was no roof at all .And remember: right here , in a small town in the Tuscia, the world changed forever .

Starting from Viterbo , the "City of the Popes," with its medieval historic center and the famous Bullicame thermal springs , you can embark on a route that touches some of the most enchanting places in Tuscia . 🏰 Vitorchiano Just a few kilometers from Viterbo, Vitorchiano  is a village perched atop a cliff of peperino  stone, known for its medieval walls and narrow alleys.Nearby lies the Martelluzzo waterfall , reachable via a nature trail—perfect for trekking and hiking enthusiasts. 🌳 Mount Cimino and the Ancient Beech Forest Continuing on, you can climb Mount Cimino , the highest peak of the Cimini Mountains , home to the Ancient Beech Forest , recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .This centuries-old woodland offers a peaceful setting for relaxing walks among majestic trees and shaded trails. 🏞️ Chia Waterfalls Park Descending toward the Parco delle Cascate di Chia , you’ll encounter waterfalls nestled in lush greenery.This location—beloved by filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini —is perfect for a rejuvenating break immersed in nature. 🏛️ Villa Lante in Bagnaia Finally, a visit to Villa Lante  in Bagnaia , with its Italian-style gardens and dramatic fountains, brings the itinerary to a close with a touch of Renaissance elegance. This route offers a complete experience of history, nature, and culture , ideal for those who want to explore the wonders of the Tuscia region on foot .

Viterbo is not a city to simply pass through. Viterbo is something you breathe.  Something you listen to.Something that slips under your skin — between a sun-warmed stone and a fountain that has been singing for centuries. To live Viterbo means to stop running and start looking.It means discovering the slow taste of time,sitting on a peperino  wall with no hurry,getting lost on purpose in the alleys of San Pellegrino ,being surprised by an old doorway that seems to whisper tales of love, war, and miracles. Here, daily life is a mosaic of ancient gestures and modern habits: the bitter morning coffee in Piazza della Morte ; the murmur of the market under the arches of Piazza delle Erbe ; the scent of wood burning in fireplaces during winter; the silent call of the natural hot springs —the real ones, with no tickets and no showcases. Living Viterbo  is not just about places.It ’s a state of mind . It means accepting the city as it is:with its uneven rhythm, its walls that protect and trap,its churches that suddenly appear between buildings like reminders of a past that has never truly passed. In this section of our diary,we’ll tell the countless ways you can dwell in Viterbo—and in its soul: the villages that feel suspended in time, the secret rituals and most genuine habits, the chance encounters that change your day. We won’t just tell you where to go  —we’ll take you into the city .Into its silences, its wrinkles, its pride. Because Viterbo isn’t a place you visit . Viterbo is a place you live.

Just beyond the city walls of Viterbo,there is a place where the earth breathes .A warm, sulfurous breath— as ancient as time itself . Welcome to the Bullicame :not a spa resort, not a designer pool,but a living heart  that has pulsed beneath the Tuscia for centuries. 🏺 A Bit of History: The Bullicame of Popes and Pilgrims The waters of the Bullicame were known as far back as Roman times . Tacitus  and Pliny the Elder  praised their healing properties—soothing wounds, arthritis, and rheumatic pain. But it was during the Middle Ages  that the Bullicame became legendary. The popes  who resided in Viterbo used it as a source of health and restoration . Pilgrims, knights, merchants, and soldiers  stopped here along the Via Francigena ,bathing before continuing their journey. Even Dante Alighieri , in the Divine Comedy , refers to it—comparing the fiery infernal heat to that which gushes "from the Bulicame". 🌋 A Living Natural Wonder The Bullicame is not a simple "pool".It is a sleeping volcano  that whispers . From the central crater , enclosed by a safety gate,over 150 liters of thermal water per second  gush out,at a temperature of about 58°C  (136°F). The water flows along a natural canal, cooling as it travels,eventually forming smaller pools  where locals have bathed freely for generations. No schedules.No tickets.No formalities. Just water, sky, and stone . 🔥 Little-Known Curiosities The name “Bullicame”  comes from the Latin bullire  — "to boil":the ground truly seems to bubble , thanks to underground geothermal activity. Historically, the natural pools were used as "purification baths"  for travelers before entering the city. Medieval records mention miraculous healings  in the waters of the Bullicame, attributing healing powers  to its vapors. Over the centuries, many thermal spas and facilities have sprung up around the main spring—but the Bullicame remains the primordial heart  of Viterbo’s thermal soul. ✨ Why Should You Visit Today? Because bathing in the Bullicame is not just a dip .It ’s stepping into a legend .It ’s feeling the memory of the ancients  on your skin.It ’s rediscovering, among vapors and silence, a slower rhythm —where nature still sets the pace of life. And let’s be honest—it’s not every day you get to swim in a liquid poem  written by time itself.

Not all fortresses are born to defend.Some, more ambitious, are built to challenge the sky . Such is the Palazzo Farnese  of Caprarola:not an ordinary residence, but a dream carved in stone , suspended between power, art, and infinity. ✍️ The Story: From Fortress to Masterpiece It all began in 1504 .Cardinal Alessandro Farnese , future Pope Paul III , dreamed of building a stronghold in Caprarola to protect his family’s lands.Work began—but the dream paused. It took the arrival of Alessandro Farnese the Younger , his grandson, to rewrite the story.With the help of architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola ,the original military design was transformed—from a war castle to a palace of wonder . The result?A perfect five-pointed star , nestled in the Cimini Mountains .A pentagon that looks ready to defend—but instead, welcomes and enchants . 🌟 A Palace That Tells Stories Once you step through the entrance, you’re no longer a visitor—you’re a traveler in another world . The Scala Regia , a spiral staircase swirling like an alabaster shell,seems to carry you straight into the heart of a dream. The frescoed rooms  are not just halls:they are painted epics, family myths, allegorical triumphs. The Map Room  will make your head spin:an entire chamber painted with maps of the known world,proving that Farnese power embraced both land and sea. The Italian gardens  are the green breath of this utopia:perfect geometries, playful fountains, hidden grottoes whispering secrets to the trees. 🔍 Curiosities to Share at the Dinner Table Palazzo Farnese never needed real defensive walls:its strategic hilltop position  alone was enough to deter any threat. The frescoes  are a true political manifesto :every room narrates the myth of the Farnese family, their divine origins, and their natural right to rule. From Caprarola, you see everything :on clear days, the Lake of Vico  is visible, and even the distant peaks of the Apennines. 🏹 Why Visit Palazzo Farnese Today? Because it’s not just a museum.It ’s a living experience . Walking through its halls brings you back to a time when art and power  merged,when every stone, every brushstroke, every fountain had a precise purpose:to celebrate human greatness . And for a day, with no arrogance—that greatness can feel a little like yours, too. 🏛️ Quick Guide: Visiting Palazzo Farnese 📍 Location: Caprarola (VT) , about 20 minutes by car  from Viterbo 🗓️ When to Visit: Open year-round  (closed on non-holiday Mondays  and a few special closure days) Usual hours: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM  (last entry at 6:45 PM) (Tip: always check the official website or call ahead) 🎟️ Tickets: Full price: about €5–8 Free admission  every first Sunday of the month  ( Domenica al Museo ) 🚗 How to Get There: From Viterbo: follow SR2 Cassia  toward Caprarola Parking is available near the historic center 🧭 Practical Tips: Wear comfortable shoes —you’ll walk a lot, including in the gardens Allow at least 2–3 hours  for a full visit Bring a camera or good smartphone —every corner is a masterpiece

In a quiet corner of Bagnaia , just minutes from Viterbo,there is a place where water does not flow freely—it dances , it sings , it draws  patterns of light and silence. Villa Lante  is not just a garden.It is a Renaissance idea:that even the wildest nature can be guided by the human mind— without losing its magic . A dream carved in stone, shaped through water games,and still today suspended between earth and eternity. 🏛️ A Bit of History Construction of Villa Lante began in the 16th century ,commissioned by Cardinal Gianfrancesco Gambara ,who wanted a summer retreat worthy of his rank (and his ambitions). He entrusted the project to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola ,the same architectural genius behind Palazzo Farnese  in Caprarola. Unlike most grand villas, Villa Lante was not designed as a single imposing residence.It features two twin palazzine — Gambara  and Montalto —symmetrical, discreet, and overlooking the gardens. Yet the true protagonist  is not the architecture—it’s the Italian garden , a miracle of water , stone , and greenery . 🌊 The Triumph of Water Water is the living soul  of Villa Lante. It flows from the Cimini Mountains ,channeled into a sequence of fountains, cascades, and carved waterways—a choreography of engineering and enchantment. The Fountain of the Moors : perhaps the most iconic,featuring four basalt giants holding symbols of power and glory. The Water Chain : a flowing staircase that gently murmurs as you descend,like an endless lullaby between stone and moss. The Cardinal’s Table : a long stone table with a running water channel at its center,once used to chill food and drinks during lavish outdoor banquets. 🔍 Little-Known Curiosities Villa Lante  is not named after its first owners , but after Cardinal Montalto ,who took over from the Gambara family and completed the estate in the 17th century . It is considered one of the finest examples of Mannerist garden design ,a perfect fusion of nature and architecture. In Renaissance symbolism, the path of the water represents the cosmic order :from the primal source to civilized harmony. The palazzine were never intended for permanent residence,but as “boxes of delights” —brief sanctuaries for the mind and senses. 🛶 Quick Guide: Visiting Villa Lante 📍 Location: Bagnaia (VT) , about 5 km from Viterbo’s historic center 🗓️ When to Visit: Open most of the year  (check for winter or special closures) Standard hours: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Always check the official website or Viterbo municipality for updates 🎟️ Tickets: Full price: around €5–8 Free entry  every first Sunday of the month  ( Domenica al Museo ) 🚗 How to Get There: From Viterbo: 10 minutes by car Bagnaia is also served by local buses Parking available near the entrance 🧭 Pro Tips: Wear comfortable shoes  (the terrain can be uneven) Visit early in the morning  or at sunset  for the best light and fewer crowds Bring a camera or smartphone: every corner is pure poetry

There’s a place in Viterbo where the Middle Ages aren’t a memory.They’re a breath.They’re the sound of footsteps on stone.The scent of moss and history slipping beneath your skin. That place is San Pellegrino .And it’s not a neighborhood.It ’s a time machine . 📜 A Journey Without Cars or Hurry San Pellegrino was born between the 12th and 13th centuries,when Viterbo was at the height of its political and religious power. Here, Templar knights  crossed paths with merchants,nuns spun wool in cool peperino  stone chambers,and notaries etched contracts onto parchment that today resemble mysterious manuscripts. Walking through San Pellegrino today,you don’t find reconstructions:you find the truth  of a time that never really ended. 🌉 What Makes San Pellegrino Unique? Tower houses : fortified homes, symbols of power and protection.Tall, solid, crowned with modest crenellations—like eyes still watching. Rounded arches : connecting houses over narrow streets, casting cool shadows and whispering silence. Profferli : those exterior stone staircases climbing straight to the sky, like hands reaching out to God. Hidden squares : tucked away like secret courtyards, where time lingers and voices softly echo. 🔍 Walking Curiosities to Share San Pellegrino is considered the best-preserved medieval quarter in Europe : time stopped here without becoming a postcard. Each year, it hosts San Pellegrino in Fiore , a celebration that turns the quarter into a magical garden, with arches, balconies, and alleys bursting with color and fragrance. In the Middle Ages, it was also the merchant district , offering shelter behind thick walls and secret workshops. Some homes are still inhabited by Viterbese families who stubbornly resist the noisy pull of modern life. ✨ How to Experience San Pellegrino Today You don’t need a plan.Just lose yourself . No map. No rush. Walk.Follow the shadow of an arch.Push forward to a nameless little square.Breathe.Imagine you’re a pilgrim  on the Via Francigena,a merchant  freshly arrived from Siena,a weary knight  searching for rest. In San Pellegrino, you are still all of these things. 🛶 Quick Guide: Visiting San Pellegrino 📍 Location: In Viterbo’s historic center, just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Plebiscito 🗓️ When to visit: All year round Best in spring  ( San Pellegrino in Fiore ) or autumn  (when the gentle fog adds poetry) 🎟️ Tickets: Free access — it’s a living, inhabited quarter 🚶‍♂️ Practical Tips: Wear comfortable shoes  — cobblestones can be tricky Avoid heels  (unless you enjoy scenes worthy of a slapstick movie) Photograph respectfully  — some homes are private residences

If you listen closely, Viterbo doesn’t just speak. It sings. It sings with the sound of its fountains: a thousand notes of water sliding over stone,carrying with them ancient tales of glory, mystery, and wonder. In a city built of peperino  stone, water is not just a necessity : it’s art, ritual, a celebration of life. 🏛️ Fontana Grande: the Majestic Voice of the Middle Ages In the heart of Piazza della Fontana Grande ,water has been flowing tirelessly for over seven centuries. Built in 1206 , Fontana Grande is one of the oldest—and most beloved—fountains in Viterbo. It is not just a fountain:it is a civic monument , a symbol of municipal autonomy and pride. Its design—elegant and solemn—blends Romanesque and Gothic elements:stacked basins, fleur-de-lis  motifs (symbols of purity and strength),and water that seems to rise toward the sky before blessing the earth again. Did you know? Public assemblies and markets were once held here.Fontana Grande was the political and social heart of medieval Viterbo. 🏰 Fontana della Rocca: Hidden Elegance among the Bastions Not far away, in Piazza della Rocca , lies a lesser-known gem:the Fontana della Rocca . Built in the 16th century , and possibly designed by architects close to Vignola ,this fountain served a different purpose:to cool the inner courtyards of the Rocca Albornoz ,and to impress visitors  with surprising water features. Today, its discreet trickle accompanies the steps of passersby—unaware they’re walking above an ancient network of hidden canals,once used to defend and nourish  the city. 🕯️ Fontana di San Tommaso: the Quiet Whisper of Faith More modest and quiet—almost shy—is the Fontana di San Tommaso . Located in the namesake district, near the church,this fountain doesn’t sing loudly—it whispers . Its structure is simple, yet deeply moving:an invitation to humility, reflection, and gratitude for the gift of water. Did you know? It’s said that pilgrims on the Via Francigena once used this fountainfor purification rituals before entering the city. ✨ Why Discover the Fountains of Viterbo Today? Because every fountain in Viterbo is a window into the centuries : Where power  expressed itself through control of water Where faith  was reflected in the clarity of springs Where daily life  found relief between stone and sky Walking among these fountains,you are never alone:you’re accompanied by thousands of tired, joyful, barefoot soulswho once sought not just a sip of water…but perhaps a sip of eternity . 🛶 Quick Guide: Fountain Itinerary in Viterbo 📍 Starting Point: Fontana Grande , Piazza della Fontana Grande 🗓️ When to Visit: All year round.Best in the early morning  or at sunset . ⏱️ Suggested Duration: 1–2 hours at a relaxed pace, pausing at each fountain 🚶‍♂️ Practical Tips: Wear comfortable shoes  for the cobblestones Bring a camera : the reflections and glimpses are unique Drinking water : some fountains were historically potable (like Fontana Grande),but it’s best to bring your own bottle  today

The cathedral features a Romanesque structure , with a Renaissance façade  added in 1570 at the request of Cardinal Giovan Francesco De Gambara .The bell tower , completed in 1369, stands out for its Gothic style  and distinctive bichromatic stonework .During World War II , the cathedral suffered heavy damage due to the bombings of 1944, but was later restored, bringing back its original Romanesque appearance. 🔔 The Bell Tower: Between Defense and Faith Standing 32.70 meters tall , the bell tower is believed to have originally been a defensive tower  belonging to the Tignosi family .Built in peperino  and travertine , with alternating dark and light stone bands, it is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture from that era. ⚰️ The Crypt of the Bishops and Papal Mysteries Inside the cathedral lies the Crypt of the Bishops , a solemn place preserving the remains of significant ecclesiastical figures.Among them is Pope John XXI , whose funerary monument  can be seen in the left nave .Another pope, Alexander IV , was also buried in the cathedral, but his tomb has been lost over the centuries. 🎨 Artistic Treasures and Curiosities The cathedral houses many artworks, including frescoes  and paintings  from various periods.A highlight is the vault of the apse , frescoed by Giuseppe Passeri , depicting The Last Judgment  and the Cardinal Virtues .In the left nave, visitors can admire a 12th-century panel  of the Madonna della Carbonara , a fine example of Byzantine art . 📌 Visitor Information 📍 Address:  Piazza San Lorenzo, Viterbo🕒 Opening Hours:  Generally open daily; it’s recommended to check specific times before visiting🎟️ Admission:  Free; some areas may require a guided tour📷 Tip:  Don’t forget your camera to capture the architectural and artistic details The Cathedral of San Lorenzo  is not just a place of worship—it is a true treasure chest of history, art, and spirituality ,telling centuries of Viterbo’s faith and cultural legacy.

If Viterbo is a queen,her walls are the cloak that has wrapped her for centuries. A stone belt, woven between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,that still embraces the historic center like a promise of protection and mystery. Walking along Viterbo’s wallsis not just a workout—it’s a journey through time,a gentle caress to centuries that still endure. 🗺️ The Route: a Stroll Through History and Silence The walls of Viterbo, dating back to the 12th century, stretch for about 4 kilometers  around the medieval heart of the city.In some sections, they appear proud and stern; in others, gentle and forgiving—like ancient sentinels, weary yet still watchful. 👉🏻 Suggested itinerary: Start from Porta Fiorentina  (north of the city) Walk along the outer wall path Stop at Porta Romana Continue to Porta della Verità Finish at Piazza San Lorenzo , where the walls merge into the dreamlike silhouette of the Palace of the Popes As you walk, the bastions, towers, and arrow slits watch silently.No sound is needed—just your breath. 🏰 The Three Historic Gates: Keys to the Past 🚪 Porta Fiorentina Origins : Built in the 13th century, rebuilt in the 18th Curiosity : The entry point for travelers and merchants from Florence and Tuscany Today : An elegant, solemn gate—symbol of Viterbo’s commercial strength 🚪 Porta Romana Origins : 13th century Curiosity : The main link to Rome. Popes, armies, and pilgrims on the Via Francigena  passed through here Today : Still standing, with a stern arch steeped in dust and glory 🚪 Porta della Verità Origins : 13th century Curiosity : Named after a legend—justice was administered here, where “truth” was sought… or extracted Today : One of the most melancholically charming gates, overlooking a small square where time stands still ✨ A Walk to Be Lived with the Soul As you walk the walls,forget digital maps.Follow the wind.Let yourself be drawn by cracks in the stone.Breathe in the scent of damp peperino. The walls will speak to you.Not in words.But in stories whispered between one step and the next. Perhaps you’ll find an ancient carving,a secret passage,a tree that’s been bowing to the wind for centuries. In Viterbo, walls don’t divide.They protect.They shelter.They welcome. 🛶 Quick Guide: Walking Along Viterbo’s Walls 📍 Recommended Starting Point: Porta Fiorentina 🗓️ When to Go: All year round Best in spring  or autumn , when the light is soft and golden ⏱️ Average Duration: About 1.5 to 2 hours  at a relaxed pace, including stops 🚶‍♂️ Practical Tips: Wear comfortable shoes  (there are cobblestones and dirt paths) Bring water  (few refreshment spots along the way) Keep your camera or phone charged —some views are breathtaking 🎟️ Cost: Free, open walk accessible to all

🌹 Saint Rose of Viterbo: the Burning Heart of an Eternal City In some cities, saints are prayed to.In Viterbo, Saint Rose is loved . A living, visceral love—passed down through generations—that never fades, like embers beneath ash, reigniting every year on September 3rdinto a blaze of faith and pride. Saint Rose is not just a holy figure:she is every Viterbese’s sister, daughter, friend. 🕊️ The Story of Rose: a flame that still burns Rose was born in Viterbo in 1233, in an age of wars, famine, and political turmoil. The daughter of humble artisans, she was extraordinary even as a child:at the age of just 3 , legend says she was miraculously healed after a vision of the Virgin Mary. But her true greatness emerged in adolescence. At just 12 years old , she denounced the tyrant Frederick II ,preaching barefoot in the streets, dressed in a simple robe,crying out for justice and faith when even the most powerful men stayed silent. She was exiled, persecuted—but never broken. She died young, at only 18 years old ,but her legend—her love —was already invincible. ✨ Heartwarming Anecdotes The Miracle of the Lily :In the courtyard of her home, a lily bloomed out of season after her death.Since then, the lily has become the symbol of Rose’s purity and courage. The Incorrupt Body :Years after her death, when her body was exhumed to be transferred to the Sanctuary,it was found perfectly preserved—a tangible sign of her sainthood. Protection during WWII bombings :During heavy bombing raids in WWII, Viterbo suffered greatly—yet the Sanctuary of Saint Rose remained untouched, like a flower miraculously floating above destruction. 🛐 Visiting the Sanctuary of Saint Rose The Sanctuary of Saint Rose , located in the heart of Viterbo’s historic center,is not just a place of prayer.It ’s a shrine of Viterbese identity. Inside, the heart still beats: the saint’s incorrupt body rests in a crystal and silver urn,bathed in a soft light that seems to emanate from her very soul. The adjoining convent houses the Alcantarine nuns—silent guardians of a centuries-old tradition. The walls speak of pilgrimages, whispered prayers, and generations of devotion. You don’t just visit Saint Rose. You meet her. 🏠 Her Birthplace: where the miracle began On Via Santa Rosa , not far from the sanctuary, stands the House of Saint Rose :a small, simple building where she spent her early years. Here you can still feel the tenderness of her humanity: the raw stone of the walls, the humble, modest rooms, the scent of wax and memory. Visiting her birthplace means stepping into a time untouched by forgetfulness—and touching the very roots of Viterbo’s deepest love. 🌟 Saint Rose Today: a city rising to the heavens Every year on September 3rd ,Viterbo becomes a river of light. The Macchina di Santa Rosa —a luminous tower over 30 meters tall ,carried on the shoulders of more than 100 men  known as Facchini —rises through the dark streets, climbing arches, squares, slopes, and descents like a living flame defying the night. It is breathtaking.It ’s not folklore.It ’s faith walking , love ascending . 🛶 Quick guide: Visiting the Places of Saint Rose 📍 Sanctuary of Saint Rose Via Santa Rosa , in the historic center of Viterbo ⛪ Birthplace A short walk from the Sanctuary Open to the public with free or donation-based entry 🗓️ Best time to visit Year-round, but unforgettable  in late August to early September during the Festival of Saint Rose 🎟️ Entry Free 🚶‍♂️ Practical tips On September 3rd , the city center is closed to traffic: plan to walk To see the Macchina , arrive hours in advance to find a good spot Bring an open heart— Saint Rose touches even those who’ve never heard of her before