Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
A detail of the Loggia of the Papal Palace of Viterbo.
A detail of the Loggia of the Papal Palace of Viterbo.

Palazzo dei Papi is a palace in Viterbo, northern Latium, Italy. It is one of the most important monuments in the city, situated alongside the Duomo di Viterbo. The Papal seat had been moved in 1257 by Alexander IV due to the hostility of the Roman commune: the former Bishops Palace was thus enlarged to provide the Popes with an adequate residence. The construction, commissioned by the Capitano del popolo ("People's Capitain") Raniero Gatti, was completed probably around 1266.

The massive façade, facing the central San Lorenzo Square, is preceded by a staircase completed in 1267. On the right side is a wide loggia with seven arcades, supported by slender doubled columns and decorated with crests and reliefs. The top of the walls is decorated with square merlons. On the loggia is also a 15th century fountain, made with material of various ages, sporting the coat of arms of the Gatti family.

After Alexander IV, the palace was the seat of Urban IV, Gregory X, John XXI (who died in the building in 1277 when his study collapsed), Nicholas III and Martin IV, who moved to Orvieto in 1281. They were all elected in the most famous hall of the palace, the Sala del Conclave.

[edit] External links


 This article about an Italian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../p/a/l/Palazzo_dei_Papi_di_Viterbo_cdcb.html"