VITERBO — 28 MILES
Viterbo is another that dates back to Etruscan times, and had some prominence in medieval times. In fact, it was one of the more important cities in Europe around the 12th – 13th centuries. Papal elections were held in the Palazzo dei Papi and popes would seek refuge in Viterbo when driven out of Rome. It was also the scene of battles between Rome’s invaders and papal armies. Nowadays, its main claim to fame is that it’s the home of Italy’s gold reserves.
If you’d like to wonder around Viterbo, head for the old city center, in the Saint Pellegrino district, near Palazzo dei Papi. It’s a good section of town to take in the medieval atmosphere. Some of the better streets for strolling in this area are Via San Lorenzo and Via del Cimiter
To learn more, go to lonelyplanet.com
