Viterbo, like most every Italian city, houses many catholic churches and cathedrals with in its wall. The most famous of these cathedrals is Cathedral di San Lorenzo. Located in Piazza San Lorenzo this church sits at the highest edges of the town and overlooks a beautiful view of the city. This 12th century church has a rich though slightly lesser known history compared to its more infamous Italian counterparts. A fantastic example of Medieval style architecture this church houses beautiful religious paintings, mosaic tiled floors, and grandiose arches.
In the 13th century the cathedral was part of the Palazzo dei Papi when the papal seat moved to Viterbo. Rome was becoming an increasingly dangerous place for the pope to live durring Medieval times. Viterbo was knows as one of the safest and cleanest cities in Italy due to its sturdy walls encircling the city and irrigation systems. In the year 1257 Pope Alexander IV moved from Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in Rome to the Palazzo die Papi in Viterbo. Viterbo was home to five different popes and housed the pope and cardinals until the year 1281.
It was in Viterbo that the longest ever papal election in history occurred. After the death of Pope Clement IV a conclave was held. It took over one thousand days for the cardinals to come to a decision on who the next pope should be. During this time three out of the twenty cardinals died and one resigned. The Viterbin people began to grow weary of the extended conclave and reduced the cardinals rations of bread and water to help motivate a faster decision. There is a legend that the people even went so far as to remove the roof of the Palazzo dei Papi so the cardinals had to work under the open sky and allow the Holy Spirit better entrance.
The Cathedral di San Lorenzo has under gone many renovations from the 16th century to present day. The building was heavily bombed during World War II and had to undergo major reconstruction, but unfortunately never quite returned to its original glory. As such chapels on either side of the cathedral and bricked up and walled off to the public.
None the less the Cathedral is beautiful to behold. With its high ceilings and wonderfully crafted arches it has quite an impact upon entering. The cathedral holds regular services on Sunday and offers an informational guided tour. Single tickets are only nine euro with discounted princes available for students, children, and senior. For more information visit their website linked below.
Italian Study Abroad Travel Writing and Photography Blog 