The province of Viterbo stretches for around 3,612 km² from Rome to Tuscany, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the West and Umbria to the East. It has a population of about 300,000 and its capital is Viterbo, the area's largest town with approximately 60,000 inhabitants. The town is geographically at the centre of the region.
Known also as "Tuscia", the province of Viterbo expresses the vivacity of an area in which the economy has been created by man rather than imposed on him. It is an area where agriculture represents not only an enormous resource but also an essential part of local life, full of pride and kindness. Its centuries-old trade is geared to offer quality; its folklore remains alive in festivals and commemorative events.
The whole area is studded with historical and artistic memories which not only have their own intrinsic value but also serve to answer the questions of curious tourists.
From these values a homely and appealing tourism has emerged, based above all on human contact: warm and welcoming and never spoilt by anonimity and the stress of rushed enjoyment.
Gastronomy is also important here since farm products find their way from the fields to the many restaurant tables of the area in just a few hours.

Viterbo Piazza della Rocca	Viterbo Piazza del Gesù	Viterbo Piazza San pellegrino
Viterbo palazzo Alessandri	Viterbo Fontana Grande	Viterbo La Quercia - Basilica

Art, archaeology and culture

With its record of important historical events and great civilisations, such as the Romans and the Etruscans, as well as its treasure of priceless Medieval and Renaissance jewels, this province has perhaps hidden its own charms all too well. For this reason, rather than offer a "touristic" commentary of such beauty, we would like to play on the marvels and evocations of other stories, stories of "towns that are dying", parks alive with stone monsters, and ancient memories.
Archaeological interest in the Tuscia area is at a premium.
The local museums are constantly receiving new archaeological finds which they struggle to make room for but which allow us to gain a clear idea of one of the most evolved and mysterious of civilizations: that of the Etruscans.
The territory is also rich in Roman remains thanks to its proximity to Rome and the old Cassia road which linked it to the Eternal City.

Viterbo Museo Civico	Tuscania - Museo Nazionale Etrusco - Sarcofagi	Tuscania Santa Maria Maggiore

The Francigena road

Among the religious itineraries in the province of Viterbo, the most famous through the centuries is surely the "Francigena road".
It was at the beginning of the first millenium that Europe witnessed pilgrims flocking along the sacred routes to reach the holy places of the Christian religion, and in particular, Rome.
Of the various roads that led to Rome, the Francigena road was undoubtedly of prime importance.
Men travelled along this road, bringing with them their culture, emblems and languages, and even today many signs and memories of these journeys can still be found in the Viterbo area.
The Francigena road crossed the province from Acquapendente to Monterosi via Viterbo itself and in some points coincides with the old Cassia (a main Roman road). It's interesting to see how through the centuries the Roman "statio" (resting places) were replaced by inns for pilgrims and how merchants, soldiers and emperors have always left behind some sign or written record of their journey or stay.
Many towns in the province, such as Acquapendente, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Ronciglione and Sutri, as well as Viterbo, owe much to this vital artery, which has helped determine their urban growth over the centuries.

Sea, lakes, woods and thermal springs

The scenery which meets the tourist's gaze is very varied; in such a limited area as Viterbo, so many kinds of natural beauty are present that the region is one of the most interesting in Italy.
The coastline has sandy shores, bordered with typical Mediterranean macchia; there are stretches of beach near Tarquinia and Montalto complete with bathing facilities.
Away from the coast, moving inland, the province is at first quite flat in the Maremma, becoming more hilly to reach Mount Cimino, at over 1,000 metres, before descending once more, into the Tiber valley.
The volcanic origins of the area left two lacustral basins in the dead craters, Lake Bolsena (Europe's largest volcanic lake) and Lake Vico; both lakes are natural oases of rare beauty.
It is, however, the flora, respected and protected, that enhances the Tuscia region everywhere; the highest peaks are crowned with beech trees while on the lower slopes are oak woods and age-old chestnuts. Unusual features of the natural landscape are the thermal springs of Viterbo. Their waters are fully exploited for therapeutic purposes either in specially built centres with state-of-the-art equipment or in naturally occuring open lakes with free access.

Folklore and traditions

Folklore in the province of Viterbo is rooted in ancient popular tradition, passed down through the centuries and still very strong today.
It is difficult to express in a few words the many different aspects of folklore in the area, but there are some recurring elements. The religious character of many festivals, for example, is often coupled with popular entertainment. Usually, every town and village celebrates the annual feast of its patron Saint. Together with the religious celebration of Mass and Processions in the Saint's honour, there are also popular events such as markets, games in the town square, musical concerts, historical parades, competitions between various town districts and firework displays.
The festival of S. Rosa (3/4 September) at Viterbo must surely represent the most traditional and fascinating of all the festivals in the province.
Gastronomic festivals are also widespread in the region and provide free or cheap tasting of typical local products.
There are festivals for wine, fish, oil, chestnuts, hazlenuts...: it would be impossible to give a complete list, as so many take place.
These gastronomic events generally occur in the summer at special display stands or at street parties held in the town squares where spontaneous singing and dancing typify the entertainment and enjoyment. Carnival is also a time for enjoyment, particularly in Ronciglione, Civitacastellana and Acquapendente. It takes place in the period before Lent and in these towns is dedicated to entertainment with processions of allegorical floats, masked groups in fancy dress and dancing.
The "living crib" and the re-enactments in the Good Friday and "Christ is risen" processions are very evocative and accompany the religious rites at Christmas and Easter.

VITERBO, PALAZZO DEI PAPI The Palace was built between 1255 and 1266 by order of Raniero Gatti (Capitano del Popolo of Viterbo) as a papal residence. The Loggia is extremely noteworthy, with entwined arches, coats of-arms and relief carvings on the cornice. In 1268, the Palace was the seat of a famous Conclave, which spanned three years as no candidate managed to win the majority vote for the election of a new pope. On this occasion, the cardinals were locked up in the Palace where the voting was taking place, and according to legend the citizens of Viterbo, lead by the Podestà, probably removed the roof of the hall. Nowadays the Papal Palace is the symbol of the city, and with the Quartiere S. Pellegrino, an impressive urban setting where the houses and streets have fully maintained their medieval appearance, represents the heart of the city.

TARQUINIA (MUSEO NAZIONALE), CAVALLI ALATI The Winged Horses are a fictile decoraction coming from the Ara della Regina, one of the largest temples in Etruria. The Winged Horses which can be found in the town's remarkable Etruscan National Museum, are one of the most interesting sculptures, along with the Apollo from Faleri, of all the Etruscan production between the IV-III cent. The Museum is located in the Vitelleschi Palace, an outstanding Gothic-Renaissance-style building displaying one of the largest collection of exhibits coming either from Tarquinia and the surrounding area, or from the famous Monterozzi Necropolis; rich in chamber tombs with paintings that fully display the painting technique used from the VI to II centuries B.C. Tarquinia historic centre is encircled by large parts of the town wall and is symbolically represented by the high tower facing the church of Santa Maria in Castello. The ancient Corneto, proudly displays other Romanesque churches along with the grandiose building of the town ball.

PARCO DEI MOSTRI The Sacred Wood was ordered by Vicino Orsini in the late 16th century. His oneiric visions inspired by the impressions deriving from the mythology and the chivalry poems transformed the rocks in wonderful stone sculptures. Those huge creatures, along with the Temple dedicated to Giulia Farnese and the Leaning House, make the magical and bewitched wood a mixture of frightening visions and attractive figures. The most interesting sculptures are the Big Mask (or the Ogre) with a wide open mouth, the fighting Elephant, the Dragon and the Giant rending a woman

BAGNAIA, VILLA LANTE Villa Lante is considered one of the most remarkable late 16th century buildings in Italy. In the dense woodlands of the Cimini Hills, Cardinal Riario created a hunting reserve, the "Barco" in 1514. Later Bishop Gambara transformed the Barco in a vast park with fountains and a Palace with frescoes by Tempesta and Raffaellino Reggio. Cardinal Montalto, who succeeded Gambara, ordered a second Palace, frescoed by Tassi and Cavalier d'Arpino. Natural elements like water, the green of the vegetation, and the stone of the building are fused together into a single harmonious unit.

CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO In the unusual landscape of the Calanchi Valley, Civita di Bagnoregio stands out. Civita di Bagnoregio is known as the "diving town" because of the continuous erosion, which over the years has reduced the town centre in size. This secluded corner of Italy, the birthplace of Saint Bonaventura, used to be a thriving centre until several earthquakes and landslides forced the local inhabitants to abandon the town. Access to Civita di Bagnoregio is now only possible by a foot bridge. One enters the town through the medieval gate of Santa Maria. San Donato church with its Romanesque bell tower was built in the VII century, although the existing facade dates back to the XVII cent.

CAPRAROLA, PALAZZO FARNESE The Palace was built for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese towards the end of the 16th century, following a design by Vignola. It is one of the purest examples of architecture from the late Renaissance period. The cycle of pictorial decoractions are the grandest monument to Italian painting from the latter part of the 16th century, where the meeting and fusion of different techniques are visible. These were completed in 1583. The frescoes produced by the Zuccari brothers, amongst other artists, were conceived following a period of mythological and heraldic celebrations of the triumphs of the Farnese family. Vignola probably designed the impressive building where the Stables are located, between 1570 and 1585. Nowadays they are the seat of a congress centre and the Hotel and Restaurant Services College.

BOLSENA This lovely town is rich in history, sights (ruins of the Roman town, the Basilica of St Christine and the Chapel of the Miracle, the Monaldeschi Castle seat of the territorial museum with its large section of Etruscan exhibits), natural beauties, tourists facilities (Lake Bolsena, beaches, boat tours to Bisentina Island, campsites and several restaurants). Bolsena is on the Cassia road, 112 km away from Rome and 20 km away from Orvieto where the nearest railway station and motorway exit are situated.