# Viterbo

> Italian commune (comune) in Lazio

**Wikidata**: [Q13395](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13395)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viterbo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/viterbo

## Summary
Viterbo is an Italian commune (comune) located in the Lazio region, serving as the capital of the Province of Viterbo. It is historically significant as the site of multiple papal elections in the 13th century and currently hosts the University of Tuscia, a public institution founded in 1979.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Italian commune (comune) in the Lazio region.
- **Administrative Location:** Capital of the Province of Viterbo, Italy.
- **Coordinates:** 42.418611111111° N, 12.104166666667° E (primary); 42.41937° N, 12.1056° E (secondary).
- **Population:** Recorded figures include 67,420; 60,537; 67,798; 67,488; and 65,949.
- **Official Website:** http://www.comune.viterbo.it/
- **Historical Significance:** Site of the 1261, 1268–71, September 1276, and 1277 papal elections.
- **Key Institutions:** Home to the University of Tuscia (founded 1979) and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Viterbo.
- **Transport Hubs:** Contains Rome Viterbo Airport, Viterbo Porta Romana railway station, and Viterbo Porta Fiorentina railway station.
- **Notable Landmarks:** Includes the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo, Santa Maria Nuova (founded +1001), Santa Maria della Quercia (founded +1467), and the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino (founded +1150).
- **Cultural Sites:** Hosts the archaeological site of Norchia and the ancient city of Ferentium.
- **Sports:** Headquarters of the association football club U.S. Viterbese 1908 (founded 2013).
- **Related Settlements:** Includes San Martino al Cimino, Grotte Santo Stefano, Centro Giovanni XXIII, Castel d'Asso, Fastello, Monterazzano, Roccalvecce, and Ponte di Cetti.
- **Historical Treaties:** Site associated with the Treaty of Viterbo (1267).
- **Wikidata ID:**  (implied by context of "" references in source).
- **Sitelink Count:** 95 Wikipedia links.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Viterbo regarding the Papacy?**
Viterbo served as a crucial location for the Catholic Church in the 13th century, hosting four distinct papal elections: 1261, 1268–1271, September 1276, and 1277. These events led to the election of Popes Urban IV, Gregory X, John XXI, and Nicholas III respectively, often necessitating the construction of the Palazzo dei Papi to house the conclave.

**What major educational institution is located in Viterbo?**
The University of Tuscia (Università degli Studi della Tuscia) is a public university established in 1979 within the city. It focuses on agricultural, environmental, and cultural heritage studies and operates multiple departments including Agriculture, Cultural Heritage, and Political Sciences.

**What are the primary transportation links serving the commune?**
Viterbo is connected via Rome Viterbo Airport and two railway stations: Viterbo Porta Romana and Viterbo Porta Fiorentina. These facilities link the city to the broader Italian transport network and the capital, Rome.

**Which historical and religious structures define the city's architecture?**
The city features the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo, the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino, and several churches including Santa Maria Nuova, Santa Maria della Quercia, and San Francesco. It also preserves ancient sites such as the Etruscan city of Ferentium and the archaeological site of Norchia.

**What sports organizations are based in Viterbo?**
The city is the headquarters for the association football club U.S. Viterbese 1908, which was established in 2013. This club represents the commune in Italian football competitions.

## Why It Matters
Viterbo holds a unique position in European history as the "City of the Popes," where the Catholic Church resolved critical leadership vacuums during the 13th century through a series of intense papal elections. Its role as the administrative capital of the Province of Viterbo makes it a central hub for governance and services in northern Lazio. Economically and culturally, the city is revitalized by the University of Tuscia, which drives research in agriculture, bio-nanotechnology, and heritage conservation, linking the region's ancient Etruscan and Roman past with modern scientific innovation. The presence of significant archaeological sites like Ferentium and Norchia further cements its status as a vital center for understanding pre-Roman and medieval Italian history.

## Notable For
- **Papal Elections:** Hosted four major papal elections in the 13th century (1261, 1268–71, 1276, 1277).
- **Palazzo dei Papi:** Home to the historic Papal Palace, a key example of medieval architecture and conclave history.
- **University of Tuscia:** Hosts a major public university founded in 1979, specializing in agricultural and environmental sciences.
- **Etruscan Heritage:** Contains the ancient city of Ferentium and the archaeological site of Norchia.
- **Treaty of Viterbo:** Site of the 1267 pair of treaties between Sicily and the Latin Empire.
- **Religious Centers:** Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Viterbo and home to multiple historic churches and abbeys.
- **Transport Infrastructure:** Served by Rome Viterbo Airport and dual railway stations (Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina).
- **Football:** Headquarters of U.S. Viterbese 1908, a local football club.
- **Academic Research:** Hosts the University of Tuscia's experimental farms and research centers like the Centre for Bio-Nanotechnology.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Viterbo is an Italian commune situated in the Lazio region, functioning as the capital of the Province of Viterbo. The commune covers a specific geographic area defined by coordinates approximately 42.4186° N and 12.1042° E. It serves as the administrative center for the province, overseeing a network of related human settlements and territories. The population of the commune has fluctuated in recorded data, with figures including 67,420, 60,537, 67,798, 67,488, and 65,949. The official digital presence is maintained through the website http://www.comune.viterbo.it/.

### Historical Significance and Papal History
The city's most prominent historical claim is its role as the venue for four significant papal elections during the 13th century. The 1261 papal election resulted in the selection of Pope Urban IV. A prolonged election occurred between 1268 and 1271, followed by the September 1276 election which elected Pope John XXI, and the 1277 election which chose Pope Nicholas III. These events were facilitated by the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo, a building located in San Martino al Cimino, which served as a residence for the papacy. The city was also the site of the Treaty of Viterbo in 1267, a pair of treaties signed between Sicily and the Latin Empire.

### Educational and Research Institutions
The University of Tuscia (Università degli Studi della Tuscia) is a major public institution located in Viterbo, founded in 1979. Established by regional law, it serves as a hub for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with a focus on agricultural, environmental, and cultural heritage studies. The university operates six departments: Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Cultural Heritage (DBC), Economics, Engineering and Territory (DEIM), Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Humanities and Philosophy (DUSF), and Political and Communication Sciences (DISUCOM). It maintains experimental farms such as "Il Rocciolo" and "San Michele" and houses specialized libraries including the Polo Bibliotecario Tecnico-Scientifico. The university is a member of the European University Association and hosts an ELIXIR-Italy node for bioinformatics.

### Religious and Architectural Heritage
Viterbo is home to a dense concentration of religious and historical structures. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Viterbo is headquartered in the city. Notable churches include Santa Maria Nuova, with an inception date of +1001, and Santa Maria della Quercia, founded in +1467. The Abbey of San Martino al Cimino dates back to +1150. The city also contains the church of San Francesco, Viterbo, and the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo. These structures reflect the city's deep religious roots and architectural evolution from the medieval period through the Renaissance.

### Archaeological Sites and Ancient History
The territory of Viterbo encompasses significant ancient sites, including the archaeological site of Norchia and the ancient city of Ferentium. These locations provide critical insights into the Etruscan and Roman periods of the region. The University of Tuscia maintains a long-standing archaeological excavation school at the Etruscan site of Ferento, run jointly with foreign academies since 1987. These sites contribute to the city's status as a center for heritage conservation and historical research.

### Transportation and Infrastructure
The commune is well-connected through various transport modes. Rome Viterbo Airport serves as the primary air gateway for the region. Rail connectivity is provided by two stations: Viterbo Porta Romana railway station and Viterbo Porta Fiorentina railway station. These facilities link Viterbo to Rome and the wider Italian rail network, facilitating both passenger travel and regional logistics.

### Related Settlements and Localities
Several human settlements are administratively or geographically linked to Viterbo. These include San Martino al Cimino, Grotte Santo Stefano, Centro Giovanni XXIII, Castel d'Asso, Fastello, Monterazzano, Roccalvecce, and Ponte di Cetti. These settlements form part of the broader provincial network, contributing to the demographic and cultural fabric of the area.

### Sports and Community
The city supports local sports through the association football club U.S. Viterbese 1908, which was established in 2013 and has its headquarters in the city. The club represents the commune in regional and national football competitions, fostering community engagement and local pride.

### International and Academic Connections
Viterbo's institutions, particularly the University of Tuscia, maintain extensive international connections. The university coordinates over 120 Erasmus+ agreements and participates in Horizon Europe projects. It is a member of the Netval Research Universities Network and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment. The city's academic and cultural institutions also engage with global networks, enhancing its role as a center for research and international collaboration.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://primariaclujnapoca.ro/cultura/oras-infratit/viterbo/)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2016gen/index02.html)
8. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
9. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
10. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
11. GeoNames
12. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
14. Seismic classification in Italy
15. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)
16. museum-digital