The origins

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.