POLO MONUMENTAL COLLE DEL DUOMO
Visit the Museo Colle del Duomo which exhibits archaeological remains of the region and the treasure of the popes.
Palazzo dei Papi. The Gothic Palazzo dei Papi dates back to the 13th century. Alexander IV decided to move the Holy See here in 1257, fleeing malaria in Rome and the growing hostility of the populace. The move to Viterbo lasted until 1281. The palace retains some of its original appearance as a military fortress (1255), before it was transformed into a papal court. The most famous feature is the Gothic Loggia dei Papi (1267), with its seven entwined arcades, commissioned by Clement IV for his public blessings. Inside, only two rooms can be visited: the Hall of the Conclave and the Hall of Bishop Gualtiero, with its beautiful 16th-century ceiling. The Conclave Hall hosted the first conclave in history. For more than two years, the papal see was vacant. It was the people who forced the cardinals to finally agree on the election of Gregory X.
Duomo San Lorenzo. The cathedral was built on the site of a temple to Hercules. Romanesque in plan, its late-Renaissance façade (1560) has been altered several times. The interior boasts fine frescoes in the 15th-century chapel of Sainte-Catherine. Some fragments of medieval frescoes. On the cathedral's columns, you'll notice the marks left by the shells that fell in 1944. Access to the sacristy.
Museo Colle del Duomo. This fine museum completes the visit, exhibiting archaeological remains from the region and the papal treasure trove of precious ancient liturgical objects.
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