Search Results

🕯️ The Underground of Viterbo: the Hidden Heart of the City Walking through the streets of Viterbo already feels like flipping through the pages of an ancient book.But descending beneath  those streets… that’s something else.It ’s like opening a secret chapter—one written by candlelight. Viterbo’s underground tells stories the city doesn’t show in daylight:a silent world of tunnels, hidden passages, crypts, secret wells, and legends that can shake even the bravest heart. 📜 Origins: who built them—and why? Viterbo’s underground network began in Etruscan times , but it was greatly expanded during the Middle Ages, in turbulent centuries marked by war and siege. Why build them? Escape routes : emergency tunnels to flee the city in case of invasion Secret connections : hidden paths linking convents, palaces, and fortifications Commercial routes : discreet transport of goods, water, and provisions Crypts and storage : places to hide treasures… or bodies 👉🏻 A city beneath the city. ✨ Legends and mysteries beneath Viterbo The Templar Tunnel :It is said the Knights Templar had a secret passage between San Pellegrino  and Santa Maria in Gradi , used to protect sacred relics. The Door of the Invisible :Deep below Piazza della Morte  (an ominous name to begin with), lies a sealed door, known as “The Door of the Invisible,”  said to lead to secret chambers filled with forbidden relics and ancient codes. The screams in the dark :Some claim to have heard muffled cries on moonless nights near Porta San Pietro .Locals whisper that these are the wails of souls who never managed to escape enemy sieges. 🎯 What to expect from a visit to the underground Visiting Viterbo’s underground is not just about curiosity—it’s a journey for the senses. Dim lights drawing eerie shadows on the peperino stone  walls The smell of ancient earth and moss, like time itself breathing Deep silence, broken only by your footsteps and the quickening beat of your heart 👉🏻 Some tunnels are well-lit and safe, guided by expert staff.👉🏻 Others—more adventurous—are open only during special events or night tours (goosebumps guaranteed). Average duration : about 1 hour Pro tip : bring sturdy shoes, a sweater (it’s cool even in summer), and… a pinch of courage. 🛶 Quick guide: Visiting Viterbo’s underground 📍 Where: Tours usually start from Piazza della Morte  (historic center) 🗓️ When: Guided tours available year-round, especially on weekends and during peak season 🎟️ Tickets: Average price: €10–15 per person Thematic tours often available (e.g., “Underground at Night” ) 🚶‍♂️ Practical tips: Wear closed shoes and comfortable clothes Not suitable for those with claustrophobia Advance booking  required for evening tours

There is an invisible thread that has crossed Europe for a thousand years.A thread woven by weary, hopeful, and devout feet: the Via Francigena . And Viterbo—ancient and silent—is one of its most precious stops. Even today, those walking along the Via Francigena enter Viterbo like ancient pilgrims,hearts full of expectations, dust on their shoes, and the sky as their only companion. 🏰 Viterbo on the Via Francigena: a refuge for the soul Since the Middle Ages, Viterbo was a key stop for those traveling from Canterbury or Northern Europeon their way to Rome, ad limina Apostolorum —to the tombs of the Apostles. Here, pilgrims would find: medieval hospitals like Santa Maria in Gradi , simple inns, churches ready to offer shelter and blessings. Viterbo wasn’t just a resting place.It was a fulfilled promise: that the journey had meaning, that the path had a heart. 🕯️ What did a pilgrim see upon entering Viterbo? The imposing walls, like arms outstretched in protection. Porta Fiorentina , a threshold between the world outside and the world within. San Pellegrino , the medieval district where pilgrims found comfort and rest. Towers, bell towers, the scent of fresh bread and burning wax. Even today, walking gently through Viterbo,you can imagine that same emotion: the arrival, the relief, the long-awaited rest. 🥾 Walking today in the footsteps of ancient travellers The modern Via Francigena is a carefully marked and lovingly maintained route. 👉🏻 On the stretch through Viterbo, you can: Depart from Vetralla , cross shady woods and golden fields, reach Viterbo via ancient paths, continue to Montefiascone  and beyond, toward Rome. White and red markers, yellow arrows,pilgrim passport stamps—all remind you: you are part of something greater than yourself. And when you arrive in Viterbo, perhaps entering through Porta Romana ,you feel part of a story that will never end. ✨ Curiosities about the Francigena in Viterbo Viterbo still preserves ancient pilgrim hospices , now turned into museums or cultural centres. Every July, the Francigena Festival  takes place, with walks, music, talks, and historical reenactments. The stretch from Vetralla to Viterbo  is one of the most beloved by modern walkers for its wild beauty and thermal springs along the way! 🛶 Quick guide: Walking the Via Francigena in Viterbo 📍 Suggested starting points: From Vetralla  or Montefiascone , depending on your direction. 🗓️ Best seasons: Spring and autumn , for ideal weather and breathtaking colours. ⏱️ Distances: Vetralla–Viterbo : around 18 km (5–6 hours at a relaxed pace) 🚶‍♂️ Practical tips: Lightweight trekking shoes Comfortable backpack, water, hat Don’t forget your pilgrim credential  for the stamps! 🎟️ Where to find updated info: Viterbo’s tourist office  or the official Via Francigena website

Every city has a special way to savour it.In Viterbo, the city’s true flavour hides in a small cup of coffee, in a tray of old-fashioned pastries, in a glass of wine sipped under a peperino stone tower. Eating and drinking in Viterbo is not just a necessity:it’s a ritual—an intimate meeting between time and taste, between memory and pleasure. Come with me: I’ll take you to the cafés, bistros, and pastry shops where the city reveals itself… bite after bite, sip after sip. ☕ Historic cafés: the taste of elegance ✨ Gran Caffè Schenardi 📍 Corso Italia, 11 Opened in 1818, this is a liquid monument of the city.Crystal chandeliers, high ceilings, and waiters who look like they’ve stepped out of a 19th-century painting. What to order: Espresso “corretto” with brandy Mini artisan pastries served with a noble flair 👉🏻 Every sip tells a page of history. ✨ Caffè del Teatro 📍 Piazza Giuseppe Verdi Cozy, refined, with the effortless charm of timeless elegance.The scent of cappuccinos blends with the atmosphere of vintage theatre posters. What to order: Creamy cappuccino and a slice of wild cherry tart 👉🏻 Perfect for watching the slow theatre of daily life. 🍰 Hidden pastry shops: sweets with deep roots ✨ Pasticceria Garibaldi 📍 Via Garibaldi, 97 No frills, just heart.A tiny shop where butter sings, custard dances, and chocolate plays the chorus. What to try: Custard-filled sfogliatelle Wild blackberry jam tarts 👉🏻 One bite, and you’re in the real Viterbo. ✨ Antica Latteria 📍 Via della Sapienza, 6 Legendary artisan gelato and traditional desserts guarded like relics. What to taste: Ancient-style cream gelato Rustic Viterbese cake 👉🏻 A place that’s kept the city’s sweetest soul alive. 🍷 Secret spots for true connoisseurs ✨ Bistrot del Duca 📍 Via San Lorenzo, 55 A hidden courtyard, carefully selected wines, small dishes to savour slowly, while time melts into a glass. What to choose: A chilled glass of Grechetto wine Toasted bread with Colonnata lard 👉🏻 The kind of place you whisper about only to close friends. ✨ Caffè Letterario 📍 Via Garibaldi, 24 Books, local wines, signature coffee: this is where you come not only to drink, but to absorb culture. What to order: Viterbese Spritz (with local vermouth!) Tuscia-style charcuterie board 👉🏻 Where taste meets the written word. ✨ Because in Viterbo, flavour is tradition To sit at a table and order an old-fashioned pastry or a steaming coffeemeans experiencing Viterbo through its most authentic heart. Here, food is not a trend:it’s memory, identity, a liquid and solid emotion. Every coffee, every pastry, every glass tells a story of patient hands and eternal flavours. 🛶 Quick guide: The Taste of Viterbo 📍 Where to go: Gran Caffè Schenardi  for historic elegance Pasticceria Garibaldi  for authentic sweets Bistrot del Duca  for a hidden aperitivo 🗓️ When to enjoy it: Anytime, but especially in spring and autumn, when the light makes every flavour shine. 🎯 Pro tip: Always save room for dessert.

If you truly want to understand a city, don’t ask the guidebooks.Go to the market. In Viterbo , the market is not just a place of exchange:it’s a daily theatre , an ancient ritual  that renews itself every morning —among chasing voices, exploding colors, and scents that tell stories without a single word. Those who walk through Viterbo’s markets aren’t just visiting the city — they are living it. 🍅 Piazza della Vittoria Market: Living Tradition 📍 Piazza della Vittoria  — the beating heart, just steps from the ancient walls. This market has been held here for centuries, without losing its authentic soul. In the morning, the square wakes up like a beehive: Farmers arranging crates of vegetables still glistening with dew Housewives touching tomatoes and zucchinis as if choosing jewels Young people slipping a piece of Viterbo into their bags to take home What you’ll find : Seasonal fruits and vegetables grown in Tuscia’s fields Flowers, aromatic herbs, and ancient plants like wild mentuccia Local cheeses and cured meats, with aromas that speak of pastures and cellars 👉🏻 Here, prices aren’t measured just in euros — but in smiles, banter, and stories. 🌿 Organic Markets: The Taste of Unfiltered Earth Piazza San Carluccio  and some areas of Pratogiardino  host smaller marketsdedicated to organic produce , direct producers , and true zero-kilometer goods . Strolling through these stalls is a journey into authentic flavors: Raw honey gathered in Tuscia’s forests Homemade jams with no tricks, no additives Heirloom vegetables — survivors of forgotten seeds 👉🏻 Here, you buy slowly. You talk. You ask. You return home not just with a full basket —but with a lighter heart. 🎨 Craft Markets: Handmade Beauty On weekends, medieval squares and alleys fill with artisan stalls : Hand-painted ceramics Natural soaps made from Tuscia’s herbs Jewelry, scarves, and bags sewn with the ancient patience of skillful hands 👉🏻 These aren’t just objects — they’re stories to carry with you. ✨ Special Occasions: Festive Markets During festivals like San Pellegrino in Fiore  or Viterbo’s Christmas ,the market explodes in a thousand colors: Stalls with sweets perfumed with cinnamon and anise Artisans recreating miniature nativity scenes Winemakers and olive oil producers offering tastings without haste 👉🏻 It’s when Viterbo doesn’t just show itself — it gives itself. 🛶 Practical Guide – Viterbo’s Markets 📍 Where : Piazza della Vittoria  (main general market) Piazza San Carluccio , Pratogiardino  (organic and artisan markets) 🗓️ When : Weekly market : Tuesday and Saturday Craft and organic markets : mostly on weekends 🎯 Pro tips : Bring a real basket , not just plastic bags Wake up early — the best colors belong to the morning 🗺️ Map of Viterbo’s Markets This guide collects the main locations where markets are held in Viterbo — a city of tradition, local produce, and artisanal craft. Each spot includes practical tips and suggestions to enjoy the experience to the fullest. 📍 1. Piazza della Vittoria Type of market : General Days : Tuesday and Saturday mornings What you'll find : Fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, clothes, tools, porchetta Atmosphere : Lively and popular — perfect to experience the city like a true local Tip : Arrive early for the best products and bring a reusable basket 📍 2. Piazza San Carluccio Type of market : Organic and artisan (occasional) Days : Weekends and during special events What you'll find : Organic goods, jams, honey, soaps, handmade ceramics Atmosphere : Intimate and authentic — ideal for discovering small local treasures Tip : Take your time to talk with the producers 📍 3. Pratogiardino Lucio Battisti Type of market : Organic and zero-kilometer agricultural market Days : Saturday mornings (Campagna Amica) What you'll find : Seasonal produce, cheeses, bread, herbs, wine Atmosphere : Family-friendly, green, and relaxed Tip : Great for a stroll in the park after shopping 📍 4. Via Saffi / San Pellegrino Type of market : Crafts and antiques Days : During events and holidays (e.g. San Pellegrino in Fiore, Viterbo Christmas) What you'll find : Artistic items, old books, scarves, nativity scenes, decorations Atmosphere : Scenic and charming, among medieval alleys Tip : Bring cash — many artisans don’t accept cards ✅ General Tips : Wear comfortable shoes: many streets are cobbled or historic Don’t rush: Viterbo’s markets are meant to be savored slowly Talk to the vendors: every product has a story Check the events calendar for special themed markets

Not all journeys are made by rushing.Not all cities can be understood by just looking at their monuments. In Viterbo , the true luxury is losing time:wandering without a destination,breathing in ancient walls,following the random path of a sunbeam or a flag drying in the breeze. Welcome to Viterbo slow. Where time sits beside you and gently invites you to walk a little slower. 🌿 The Lesser-Known Districts: Where Time Falls Asleep ✨ San Faustino 📍 Just steps from modern-day bustle, lies a neighborhood like a faded painting. Narrow lanes, stone stairways, weathered façades that carry the scent of real life.Clotheslines, old-school shops, children chasing deflated balls. 👉🏻 Here, Viterbo doesn’t show itself — it reveals itself. ✨ Pianoscarano 📍 An ancient medieval hamlet, once home to washerwomen and fishermen. A small square, singing fountains, houses leaning into each other for support.On Sunday mornings, the smell of sauce fills the streets. Ideal walk : Get lost in the alleyways, with no hurry.Every turn is a discovery, every corner a short story. ✨ The Cappuccini Quarter 📍 Just outside the center, a peaceful maze of quiet lanes,where low houses and silent courtyards tell the story of Viterbo’s humblest and most authentic soul. 👉🏻 Perfect for those in search of silence, deep breaths, and slow footsteps. 🚶‍♂️ The Best Places to Wander Aimlessly ✨ The Walls of Viterbo Walking beside the ancient walls feels like walking next to a sleeping giant.There, the city’s noise softens.What remains is the sound of footsteps and the wind playing in the battlements. Recommended route : From Porta Fiorentina  to Porta Faul , passing towers and forgotten bastions. ✨ Parco di Pratogiardino Lucio Battisti 📍 Just steps from the center, a vast park where greenery stretches between statues and forgotten fountains. 👉🏻 Ideal for slow strolling, reading on a bench, or listening to the invisible song of the seasons. ✨ The Side Streets of San Pellegrino Not the main alleys.Not the picture-perfect square.The side streets — the ones no one photographs —where silence makes more noise than a thousand words. Walking here is like stepping inside a medieval painting, with no frame, no time. ✨ Viterbo Slow Is an Act of Love You don’t need a set itinerary.You don’t need a destination. You need time .You need an open heart .You need the willingness to listen to a city that speaks softly. Viterbo slow isn’t something you visit. It ’s something you breathe .Something you live . 🛶 Practical Guide – Living Viterbo Slow 📍 Where to walk : San Faustino District Pianoscarano Side streets of San Pellegrino Viterbo’s ancient walls Pratogiardino Park 🗓️ When : All year round But mild autumn afternoons  and bright spring mornings  are pure poetry 🎯 Pro tip : Forget Google Maps Follow the scent of bread, a distant laugh, the breeze changing direction

🥖 Taverns, Bakeries, and Restaurants Where Tradition Becomes Taste In Viterbo , food isn’t simply consumed. It ’s honored. It’s lived. Sitting at the table here is not a casual act:it’s a way of belonging to the city,of being welcomed by ancient hands that knead, cook, and pour wine without needing to ask. Anyone who truly wants to live Viterbo must first learn to eat it. 🍷 The Taverns and Trattorias: The City’s Secret Heart It’s not the signs that speak,but the scent of ragù from an open door,the soft clink of glasses toasting,the cloth napkins faded from happy use. ✨ Osteria Tanta Robba 📍 Between San Pellegrino and Piazza della MorteWooden tables, honest house wine, and generous portions. Must try : Lombrichelli  with wild boar sauce Fagioli del Purgatorio  (Purgatory beans) slow-cooked to perfection ✨ Trattoria da Lillo 📍 Near Porta della VeritàA timeless corner: dark beams, fireplace in winter, the scent of stew that follows you down the street. Signature dishes : Hunter-style rabbit ( Coniglio alla cacciatora ) Shepherd’s Acquacotta 🍝 Authentic Restaurants: Elegance Without Rush ✨ Ristorante Le Quattro Stagioni 📍 Via della Sapienza, in Viterbo’s noble heartA place that manages to be both simple and refined : traditional cuisine, well-crafted, and a warm atmosphere. Chef’s suggestion : Acquacotta  served in a terracotta bowl Herb-crusted beef tagliata with Tuscia aromatics 👉🏻 Perfect for a slow lunch or a dinner where time is a gift. ✨ Osteria I Tre Re 📍 Via della Marrocca, steps from San PellegrinoAuthenticity to the core: raw stone walls, low ceilings, the scent of bread and braised meat. Not to miss : Hand-rolled lombrichelli  with truffle Stewed rabbit with black olives and countryside herbs 👉🏻 A rustic, honest, no-compromise experience. 🍞 The Bakeries: Where Tradition Kneads the City In Viterbo, a bakery isn’t just a shop.It ’s a daily temple . ✨ Forno delle Clarisse 📍 Between Piazza Fontana Grande and Via delle FabbricheWood-fired dark bread, traditional ring cookies ( ciambelle viterbesi ), and white pizza that tastes like grandparents’ childhood. ✨ Antico Forno Benedetti 📍 Via della PalazzinaPure tradition: hot bread and crisp tozzetti  to dip in wine — just like it used to be done. 🍴 Must-Taste Dishes: Tuscia on the Tongue To truly feel the city's soul, you have to taste: Acquacotta : a “poor” soup that speaks of dignity and deep roots Lombrichelli al sugo : rustic, rough pasta made to catch every drop of sauce Frittelle di San Giuseppe : airy, honeyed fritters to be eaten with your fingers Coniglio alla cacciatora : tender, slow-stewed rabbit with rosemary and love Fagioli del Purgatorio : tiny, delicate beans cooked with ancestral patience 🛶 Practical Guide – Eating Like a Local in Viterbo 📍 Where to go : Authentic taverns : Osteria Tanta Robba, Trattoria da Lillo Traditional elegant restaurants : Le Quattro Stagioni, I Tre Re Historic bakeries : Forno delle Clarisse, Forno Benedetti ⏱️ When to go : Year-round Best enjoyed in autumn  or spring , when the air smells of earth and fresh bread 🎯 Pro tips : Forget tourist menus — ask for the dish of the day Always pair your meal with a glass of local wine Don’t rush.  In Viterbo, a meal is a journey.

In the oldest heart of Viterbo,protected by solid walls and the discreet gaze of peperino stone streets,there lies a place where time has paused — without fading away. The Civic Museum of Viterbo  is not just a container of relics.It is a collective story ,told by hands that forged, sculpted, painted, and lived. A journey that begins with the Etruscans ,crosses through the Middle Ages ,and arrives at the threshold of our modern gaze. 🏛️ A Palace That Breathes History The Civic Museum is housed in the former Convent of Santa Maria della Verità ,a building that, even on its own, breathes history from every stone. Born as a place of silence and prayer,today the convent preserves quiet wonders ,displayed without fanfare — like ancient kings who need no attention to be respected. 🌿 Etruscan Treasures: Earth’s Artisans The first rooms take you back more than two thousand years,to the time of the Etruscans — those enigmatic lords of Tuscia  who still look at us today through their artifacts. Monumental sarcophagi  with reclining figures, serene and ready for eternity Red-figure vases  depicting forgotten myths Funerary sets  rich with mirrors, fibulae, and amulets: small gestures of love for a journey beyond life Fun fact :One of the museum’s most famous urns depicts a banquet scene...with a tiny carved mouse  hiding beneath the diners’ feet.A humble joke, perhaps — a reminder that not even the powerful escape the pranks of fate. 🕯️ Medieval Art: Faith Carved Into Time Moving on, you enter the medieval heart  of the museum. Painted crosses , solemn and austere, where Christ gazes at pilgrims with human sorrow Sculpted marble  shaped by calloused yet skilled hands Ancient panels  telling stories of forgotten saints, faith, and miracles etched in golden dust Fun fact :Among the more peculiar pieces is a small relic —a fragment of cloth  said to have belonged to Santa Rosa ’s robe.Not a grand treasure, but a spark of emotion for those who know how to look beyond the glass. 🎨 A Journey That Never Ends The beauty of the Civic Museum of Viterbo lies here: it doesn’t try to overwhelm you. It doesn’t shout — it whispers. It whispers stories of ancient peoples,of hands faithfully smoothed by stone,of eyes that have loved, hoped, and wept. It’s a museum to experience slowly ,like a respectful conversation between travelers separated by centuries. 🛶 Practical Sheet – Visiting the Civic Museum of Viterbo 📍 Location :Piazza Crispi, Viterbo(former Convent of Santa Maria della Verità) 🗓️ When to visit :Open year-roundHours typically 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (check the official website or city information) 🎟️ Tickets :Symbolic price: around €5Discounts available for students, groups, over 65s 🚶‍♂️ Practical tips : Take your time — each room deserves it Don’t miss the Etruscan section : one of the most fascinating in Lazio Bring a camera — details are everything here

Not all fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time.”Some begin like this: “There still is, today.” Bagnaia  is one of those timeless places,where the dreams of the Renaissance have never truly faded. Gently nestled at the foot of the Cimini Mountains, just minutes from Viterbo, Bagnaia tells its story without fanfare  —with ancient stones, silent alleyways, and a grace whispered by the wind. 🏛️ More Than Just Villa Lante: A Village That Enchants Of course, Villa Lante  is its most famous masterpiece:those gardens, those fountains, those perfect Renaissance geometries…But Bagnaia is not just Villa Lante . The historic village is a miniature Renaissance world,born and nurtured under the protection of popes and cardinals who,enchanted by this peaceful corner of the world,adorned it like a jewel. As you stroll through its streets: You’ll encounter low houses with terracotta-tiled roofs Arches  that seem to hug you from above Quiet chapels  that still carry the scent of incense and devotion Hidden fountains  that sing forgotten songs 👉🏻 Bagnaia doesn’t come to meet you — it waits , and if you walk at the right pace, it offers you its heart. 🎨 A Village Carved by Time Bagnaia blossomed during the Renaissance thanks to influential cardinals like Gianfrancesco Gambara  and Alessandro Montalto ,who not only built their villa of delights,but also funded the development of the village itself. Piazza XX Settembre , the heart of the village, is a small theater of stone: compact houses, flowering balconies, elders chatting like in an old painting The Church of Sant’Andrea , with its simple façade and bell tower standing like a lookout over history The alleyways , true labyrinths of peperino stone, where every corner tells a story of proud, humble lives ✨ Little Curiosities That Make Bagnaia Special The village was fortified in the 13th century  to protect the strategic link between Viterbo and the Tiber Valley.It still holds the soul of a “silent guardian” today Villa Lante  isn’t the only garden: many private courtyards  still hide secret orchards, pergolas, and medieval wells In the local dialect, you’ll still find expressions that come directly from the Vulgar Latin  spoken during the Renaissance Every year, Bagnaia hosts the “Feast of the Madonna of the Rosary”  with processions, chants, and lights that turn the village into a living nativity scene 🌹 Why Is Bagnaia a Quiet Love Story? Because it welcomes you without asking for anything.Because it teaches you that beauty doesn’t need to shout —just a worn cobblestone, a half-open window,a man tipping his hat from the shade. Bagnaia isn’t meant to be conquered.It ’s meant to be loved. And those who love it carry it forever in their hearts, like a secret whispered only to special souls. 🛶 Practical Sheet – Visiting Bagnaia 📍 Where :About 4 km east of Viterbo 🗓️ Best time to visit :All year roundMagical in spring , enchanting in the golden light of autumn ⏱️ Suggested time :Half a day (walk through the village + visit to Villa Lante) 🚶‍♂️ Practical tips : Wear comfortable shoes  – the streets are paved with rough stone Take time to enjoy a coffee in the main square  to feel the true heartbeat of the village

There is a Viterbo you won’t find in brochures .A Viterbo that can’t be captured in a quick photo.It ’s the Viterbo of ancient rituals,the one that beats beneath the stones of its alleys,that lives in the daily gesture of those who still bow before a statue,or make the sign of the cross in front of a street shrine. Here, time is not only made of days  —it is marked by prayers, candlelit processions, vigils, and the scent of incense and fresh flowers. ✝️ Holy Week: Silence and the Sacred in the Streets When Holy Week arrives, Viterbo transforms . The streets empty of haste,and fill with ancient sounds: drum rolls, voices of hooded confraternity members, barefoot footsteps in the night . ✨ The Most Moving Processions The Procession of the Dead Christ  ➔ Silent march of the confraternities, accompanied only by the wooden sound of troccole The Confraternities  ➔ White robes, wooden crosses, ancient banners carried like living relics The Stations of the Cross  ➔ The city itself becomes a sacred stage 👉🏻 This is not folklore. It is real emotion , a silent community, a collective memory  that renews itself every year. 🌹 Santa Rosa: The Patron Saint Who Embraces All Year Long Viterbo doesn’t live Santa Rosa only on September 3rd. She is present every day of the year: In the votive shrines found on nearly every corner In the fresh flowers placed each week in front of her birthplace In whispered prayers before her sanctuary, made without fanfare ✨ The Transport of the Macchina di Santa Rosa One single night — September 3rd  —and yet it is prepared and anticipated for an entire year . The Facchini  (porters) train like ancient knights Families speak of the new Macchina  as if it were a daughter Rehearsals, vows, tears, anticipation — all live day after day in the hearts of Viterbesi 🕯️ Small Daily Traditions That Endure It’s not just in grand events that tradition manifests.In Viterbo, tradition lives in small, invisible gestures : A candle lit  every Saturday night before a Marian shrine The silent visit to Santa Rosa’s Sanctuary , even just for a moment Blessed bread  brought home after Easter Mass, kept as a talisman against bad luck The sign of the cross traced over bread  before slicing it — a gesture that still survives in the city’s oldest kitchens 👉🏻 These are quiet rituals  no guidebook mentions,and no modernity has ever erased. 🛶 Practical Guide – Viterbo’s Living Traditions 📍 Where to feel these traditions : Procession of the Dead Christ  (Good Friday) Birthplace of Santa Rosa Sanctuary of Santa Rosa Votive shrines  in the old quarters: Pianoscarano, San Faustino, San Pellegrino ⏱️ When to go : All year round — with peaks during: Holy Week  (March/April) Santa Rosa’s Transport  (September 3rd) 🎯 Pro tip : Live the city in silence  on sacred days Pause in front of a shrine — even for a moment. The city will speak to you.

In Viterbo, water is not just a resource —it’s an ancient friend,a silent companion that flows through every gesture, from a sip at the fountain to a warm morning bath in the mist. Those who know how to walk slowly through alleyways and fields,those who can wait for a sunrise or a sunset,know that here, water tells the story of the city better than a thousand words. ♨️ The Last Free Thermal Baths: Between Nature and History Not all thermal springs remain accessible.Many, like Il Bagnaccio  or Le Masse di San Sisto , have had to close.But the hot waters of Tuscia  still sing, still invite, still embrace. ✨ Piscine Carletti 📍 About 2.5 km from the historic center, along the road to Tuscania A small, free miracle: Natural pools fed by a 58°C thermal spring Clear water, morning vapors rising like incense Pools cared for by the love of local volunteers Experience : Soaking at dawn , when the world is still Enjoying a warm bath under the stars With only the sky above you and the earth’s breath around you ✨ Terme del Bullicame 📍 Just outside the city walls — even mentioned by Dante  in the Divine Comedy The larger pools are currently closed, but the area is still alive: The park is open The main spring still bubbles , warm and fragrant Small canals and minor pools still offer a touch of natural warmth 👉🏻 Walking along the Bullicame trail  is like walking through an ancient breath ,among vapors, the scent of sulfur, and vast, echoing silences. ⛲ Viterbo’s Fountains: Drinking from the City, Living Its History In a world that bottles even air, Viterbo still offers the pure water of its fountains. Ancient springs carved in peperino stone ,still gifting fresh water to passersby , asking nothing in return. ✨ Fountains to Discover: Fontana Grande  (Piazza del Gesù) ➔ where pilgrims, soldiers, and merchants quenched their thirst for centuries Fountain of Piazza delle Erbe  ➔ the city’s beating heart, where every sip is a small daily ritual Fountain of Piazza San Carluccio  ➔ hidden, discreet, loved by those who know the secret shortcuts of the city 👉🏻 Drinking from these fountains  means tapping into the same waterthat sustained generations of pilgrims along the Via Francigena . ✨ Water as a Daily Ritual In Viterbo, water is not just a physical necessity — it’s a sacred and familiar act : Splashing a handful on your forehead under the sun Filling your bottle on a slow walk Pausing in silence in front of an ancient fountain,listening to the water flow like a forgotten prayer 👉🏻 Here, water is not wasted .It is lived, respected, and celebrated . 🛶 Practical Guide – Living Water in Viterbo 📍 Where to experience authentic water : Free thermal baths : Piscine Carletti (active and free) Thermal walks : Bullicame (park open) Historic fountains : Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza del Gesù, San Carluccio ⏱️ When to go : Piscine Carletti : all year round (best at dawn or dusk) Bullicame : year-round for scenic walks Fountains : every day, every season 🎯 Practical tips : Bring a swimsuit, towel, and open spirit  for Piscine Carletti Carry a small bottle  to fill at the fountains — like a modern pilgrim

In Viterbo, time isn’t measured in months and days —it’s measured in church bells ringing joyfully,in streets dressed in flowers, and in skies lit by fireworks. Those who truly live Viterbo know:every season has its celebration,and every corner of the city holds a ritual waiting to be honored. Here is a calendar of wonders , month by month —from famous events to hidden gems. 📆 The Calendar of Unmissable Events ✨ January Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot   (January 17) ➔ Blessing of animals and traditional parades.(Fun fact: they say the blessed bread brings good luck all year.) ✨ March – April Holy Week ➔ Silent processions and ancient rites in the historic districts.(On Good Friday night, the silence in Viterbo is as heavy as gold.) ✨ May San Pellegrino in Fiore   (late April – early May) ➔ The entire medieval district transforms into a fairy-tale garden.(Streets, balconies, and piazzas overflow with flowers and fragrance.) ✨ June Corpus Domini ➔ Solemn procession through streets decorated with flower carpets and antique canopies. Feast of St. John the Baptist in Bagnaia ➔ Traditional bonfires on the most magical night of the year. ✨ July Viterbo JazzUp Festival ➔ Historic piazzas become open-air stages for musicians from around the world. ✨ August Neighborhood Festivals (Sagre di Quartiere) ➔ Folk events with food stands, music, and traditional games: Pianoscarano Santa Barbara Pilastro (The undisputed queen? A steaming porchetta sandwich at midnight.) ✨ September Transport of the Macchina di Santa Rosa   (September 3) ➔ The night Viterbo’s heart beats the loudest.(A 30-meter illuminated tower carried on the shoulders of 100 men through a sea of emotion.) ✨ October Feast of San Faustino and the Palio delle Contrade ➔ District games, fireworks, and music. ✨ November San Martino Fair in Bagnaia ➔ Traditional market with new wine  and roasted chestnuts. ✨ December Christmas in Viterbo ➔ Holiday markets, artistic nativity scenes in every church, and medieval concerts.( Planet of Nativity Scenes  in San Pellegrino is pure magic.) ✨ Lesser-Known but Unmissable Festivals Feast of the Madonna Liberatrice   (late May) ➔ Procession of brotherhoods in colorful cloaks — a slow dance of devotion. Cavalcade of Saint Anthony in Vetralla   (January) ➔ A medieval parade of adorned horses and ancient banners. Barabbata Festival in Marta   (May) ➔ The men of the lake carry offerings on their shoulders, dressed as ancient fishermen and farmers. 🛶 Practical Guide – Experiencing Viterbo’s Festivals 📍 Where to go : Viterbo historic center (Santa Rosa, San Pellegrino) Bagnaia  and Marta  for authentic folk celebrations ⏱️ When :January to December — there’s always a reason to return. 🎯 Practical Tip : Always wear comfortable shoes Don’t rush: the best festivals are experienced by waiting, wandering, and blending in with the locals

Viterbo is not a city to visit —it’s a city to live in. It’s not enough to walk through it for a day, snap a photo of a fountain, or buy a pastry on the go.To live Viterbo means to enter its slow rhythm,to feel its ancient walls whispering never-ending stories,to dream in the shade of medieval towers,to discover a city that knows how to reinvent itself without losing its soul. Living in Viterbo is a leap into the past — and, at the same time, a step into the future. 🏰 Living in a Medieval Palace: The Magic That Never Fades Walking through the San Pellegrino district  feels like stepping into an illuminated manuscript. Towers of dark stone Low-arched passageways Flowering loggias suspended above narrow alleys And yet, life here isn’t just about remembering. Inside those peperino walls, everyday life still beats: Children playing ball on stone staircases Elders chatting in the shade Students rewriting the present among ancient stones 👉🏻 Buying a home in a medieval palace means inhabiting history — without becoming its prisoner. A delicate, magical, and rare balance. 🌳 A Country Home: Tuscia as a Secret Refuge Just a few kilometers outside Viterbo, the landscape changes its breath. Ancient vineyards steeped in sun and soil Fields of hazelnut trees dancing in the wind Tuff trails winding through forests Living in a country house in Tuscia  isn’t just a romantic escape —it’s a return to a human pace, made of seasons you feel on your skin,of vegetable gardens, of outdoor dinners beneath endless starry skies. 👉🏻 It’s a slower, deeper life ,where the true luxury is waking up to birdsong and the scent of wood burning in the stove. 🖌️ The New Viterbo: Coworking, Craftsmen, and Contemporary Artists But it’s not all about the past. In recent years, Viterbo has begun writing a new chapter:that of a city able to attract young minds, creatives, and visionaries. Coworking spaces  born within restored convents Contemporary craft workshops  where medieval stone meets modern design Artists' studios  reinventing tradition with ancient materials and new ideas 👉🏻 Today’s Viterbo is a crossroads of inspiration  —a place where you can live among medieval towers and ultra-fast Wi-Fi,between thousand-year-old walls and budding startups,between ancient dreams and a future ready to be written. 🛶 Practical Guide – Living in Viterbo 📍 Where to live : Historic districts  (San Pellegrino, Pianoscarano) for a true medieval dream Viterbo countryside  (Bagnaia, Roccalvecce, San Martino al Cimino) for a slower, more authentic life ⏱️ When to move : Anytime — but autumn and spring  reveal the city at its most intimate 🎯 Practical tips : Look for homes with inner courtyards or hidden gardens : true secret treasures Live the city slowly : every stone, scent, and square has something to teach you