Don’t be surprised if this journey through time takes you out of the capital: Viterbo has important and ancient origins that date back to the Neolithic period, and in the Middle Ages, history gave it prominence by transforming it into the papal residence in 1266.
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The Etruscan civilization founded the first important settlements in Vitèrbo: the Sorrìna Vèteres, a fortified centre called “Càstrum”, which reached its zenith between VI and IV century BC. was erected on the hill of San Lòrenzo, where the Palàzzo dei Papi (the Papal Palace) and the Cathedral now stand. The Romans became interested in this territory and in about 310 BC Surìna, as the town was named, came under Roman influence. The city grew and gained importance and even its name was Latinized to Sorrìna Nova. Due to the Roman domination, new fortified colonies of Roman citizens sprung up, new roads were built and the existing roads were widened. At the beginning of the V century AD, the fall of the Roman Empire gave rise to a period of great crisis during which many areas were invaded and sacked by the Goths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks. The Lombards seized the opportunity and settled in Vitèrbo, fortifying the summit of the hill on which the cathedral stands and so creating a new Càstrum: Càstrum Vitèrbii. It became a very busy stop-over for these pilgrims who ate and slept here before starting on the final leg towards Rome. By the mid thirteenth century, it had grown demographically and the Pope’s decision to make it his residence was the beginning of a florid period for the city.
Until the first half of the XIII century, this square was occupied by the Prato del Cavalluccalo (the Cavalluccalo field) and one of the oldest Churches in Vitèrbo, Sant’Angelo in Spàtha, with its annexed cemetery. It was not until the second half of the thirteenth century that this square became the judiciary centre of the city.
The Palazzo del Podestà, the residence of the Captain of the People, who mediated between the Papacy and the Municipality, was built on the northern side of the square and opposite, on the southern side, stood the first Priory Palace.
Therefore, the square became the nerve centre of the city, seat of the nobles, politicians and representatives of the clergy, some of the most influential people in Italy and Europe at that time, people who decided the fate of the city and its commitments within the Papacy.
Before Piazza del Comune was built in the second half of the 13th century, Piazza del Gesú was the headquarters of the municipal judiciary, cause the old Palazzo del Podestá and Palazzo dei Priori were located here, and they met in a building under the Borgognone Tower. The oldest and most significant monument is on the west side of the square: the Church of San Silvèstro dating back to the beginning of the year 1000. Later it was renamed Chiesa del Gesù (the Church of Jesus ) when the Jesuits established there at the beginning of the seventeenth century.
Piazza del Duomo, (the Cathedral Square) also known as Piazza San Lorènzo, as we mentioned earlier, represents the oldest nucleus of the city, the Castrum Hèrculi, where, it is presumed, an antique temple dedicated to Hercules stood. The Cathedral of San Lorènzo and the Papal Palace were built at the turn of the 12th century when the city was gaining importance.
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