In Parco Marturanum, streams cut gorges into flat tuff plateaus; nearby, clay hills, forests and grazing land shape the landscape. Several officially marked CAI trails run through the park. Alongside long-distance trails, there are connecting paths that make circular walks possible. Check current trail conditions before setting out. CAI Trail 103 offers a different scale of route: it crosses the province of Viterbo from the Monti Cimini to the sea, between Soriano al Cimino and Tarquinia.
Nature, Trails and Protected Landscapes
The Monte Casoli di Bomarzo nature reserve was established in 1999 under regional law L.R. 30, covers 285 hectares and lies entirely within the municipality of Bomarzo. Numerous animal species live in the area, including the rare lanner falcon and black kite. The Forre di Corchiano, meanwhile, protect a gorge along the Rio Fratta, including its banks and tuff walls, within the municipality of Corchiano. A section of the Via Amerina is also part of the natural monument.
The Lago di Vico nature reserve encompasses mountain landscapes, wetlands, a volcanic lake, beaches, oak woods and tall beech forests. Its diverse wildlife ranges from numerous fish species and small and large mammals to diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey and waterbirds such as the great crested grebe. The ancient beech forest in the Cimini Mountains near Soriano nel Cimino is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, a serial site of centuries-old beech forests. The northern slope of Monte Cimino is also protected: it is designated as a Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation under code IT6010022.
For a route that takes in several protected areas, the Cammino Tuscia offers a specific option: its third stage passes through the Faggeta del Monte Cimino SAC and the Lago di Vico nature reserve. These landscapes and trails offer different perspectives, from gorges and tuff to forests and wetlands, as well as a waymarked long-distance route. Before planning a hike, it is worth checking trail conditions.
City History and Remarkable Buildings
In the 13th century, Viterbo was the seat of the papacy, and the popes resided in the Palazzo Papale. In the medieval district of San Pellegrino, historic paving and buildings, vaulted houses, arches and loggias have been preserved. The district is one of the largest medieval urban quarters in Europe. Profferli are also characteristic: external staircases between the courtyard and ground floor. Etruscan archaeology is the central theme of the Museo Nazionale Etrusco Rocca Albornoz, which is housed in the Rocca of the same name.
A distinctive Viterbo tradition is the Macchina di Santa Rosa. One hundred Facchini carry it through the city streets; it belongs to the UNESCO-recognized network of shoulder-borne processional structures. The procession traditionally takes place every year on the evening of September 3. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event details in advance. Near Viterbo lies Ferento, an Etruscan-Roman city with a well-preserved theatre that hosts open-air performances. Check the dates if you would like to include a performance in your plans.
In Caprarola, the Palazzo Farnese, designed by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, combines features of a fortress, a palace and a villa. Its pentagonal layout encloses a circular courtyard. Notable features include a remarkable spiral staircase, a major Mannerist fresco cycle and the Sala del Mappamondo. The room features a celestial vault and geographical maps. The complex cannot be reduced to a single building type: its architecture brings together different functions and designs.
Necropolises and Archaeological Discoveries
The Tarquinia necropolis, also known as Monterozzi, comprises 6,000 tombs carved into the rock. Two hundred are painted, and the oldest date back to the 7th century BC. In the Pile valley plain at Norchia, numerous tombs lie on tuff terraces, including the Tomba Ciarlanti, the Tomba a Camino and the Tomba Prostila, dating from the 4th century BC. The Norchia necropolis is open to the public and admission is free; check local conditions before your visit.
Castel d’Asso also offers archaeological discoveries, but some areas require special planning: because access is difficult, a visit in autumn or winter is recommended, with suitable clothing and, if possible, a local guide. The monumental necropolis lies opposite the city of Viterbo. Its tombs are carved into red tuff and arranged on two or three levels, one above the other. These different sites show how varied archaeological visits can be, from painted burial chambers to structures and terraces carved into the rock.
Discover more destinations: Bagnoregio, Bolsena, Capodimonte, Gradoli, Montefiascone, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Bassano In Teverina, Acquapendente, Bagnaia, Capranica, Caprarola, Castiglione In Teverina, Celleno, Civita Castellana, Collevecchio, Corchiano, Graffignano, Ischia Di Castro, Lubriano, Montalto Di Castro, Orte, Proceno, Ronciglione, Sutri, Tarquinia, Tre Croci, Tuscania, Vitorchiano, Marta, Carbognano, Farnese, Pian Di San Martino, Viterbo, Fabrica, Valentano Vt, Grotte Di Castro, Vetralla, Soriano Nel Cimino, Civitella DĘĽagliano, Civita, Bassano Romano, Pescia Romana, Trevinano, Chia, Gallese, Canino, Chiusa, Piansano, Monterosi, Latera, Vignanello, Oriolo Romano, Bomarzo, Blera, Punta Del Lago, Arlena Di Castro, Tobia, Marina Velca, Fonte Vivola, Acquapendente Torre Alfina, Fastello, Villa San Giovanni In Tuscia, Nepi, Civitella Cesi, Marina Di Pescia Romana, Capraccia, San Martino Al Cimino, Montalto Marina, Montecalvello, Cellere, San Michele In Teverina, Roccalvecce, Canepina, Calcata Vecchia, Sipicciano, Vallerano, Colle Farnese, Castel Sant'Elia, Cava
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