Viterbo -- Home of the Popes

Back in the 13th century, the Papal States were not only a religious force, but a political force as well. The popes and their dominion had enemies. Sometimes the popes would flee Rome and set up elsewhere. Back in the mid-13th century, Urban IV fled Rome and came to Viterbo, where the popes sometimes summered.

SYA Class of 2010-11 on the steps of Via Saffi on the way to their first Friday field trip.

The papal palace in Viterbo

Urban IV brought the papacy to Viterbo. He was a French pope.

The arches of the loggia connecting two building in the papal palace. They are gothic in style and are the symbol of Viterbo.

In 1268, Urban IV died. The cardinals came here to Viterbo to elect a new pope. However, they had nice accomodations and were being treated to a life of luxury at the expense of the Viterbesi, they went nearly two and a half years without electing a pope. So, in the summer of 1271, the people of Viterbo, locked the cardinals in this room until they elected a pope.

The Viterbesi also removed the roof of the that room to expose the cardinals to the elements to force them into an election.

In November of 1271, three years without a pope, Gregory X was elected. He promptly wrote the beginnings of the rules of the "conclave" which is what essentially is used today to elect a pope, and prevent any delays.

In 1276, Gregory X was succeeded by John XXI, the first and only Portuguese pope. He died six months later.

Late in 1276, Nicholas III was elected.

The last Viterbesi elected pope was Martin IV, who upon becoming pope, moved the papacy back to Rome.

The Viterbesi are hugely proud of this part of their history, even if they reached their historic peak in the 13th century.