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Hotel Viterbo

Cathedral of San Lorenzo

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In the piazza of the same name, next to the Popes Palace, find the Cathedral of San Lorenzo built in the XII century to enlarge one of the most modest parish churches of the VIII century at its time (according to legend) on the ruins of an antique pagan altar dedicated to Hercules.

The church presents you with a Romanesque basilica floor plan with three naves and apses, separated by twenty columns in style Lombard capital.
In 1570, the church was redone by the will of Cardinal Francesco De Gambara, which included the present façade and the addition of ten chapels on the lateral naves; the post-war restorations in purist style were an attempt to recuperate the original aspect of the Cathedral and eight of the ten lateral chapels were closed.
What is left of the original structure (columns and capitals, rose windows on the right and lateral apses, and a part of the pavement) demonstrate a style tied to Lombard workmanship, probably found in the city as far back as the XI century.
Inside one can admire the remains of frescoes dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, canvases done by Maratta, Benefial, Romanelli, Mazzanti, and an exquisite painting on wood (1200’s) with a representation of the Madonna della Carbonara.
Through a door in the right nave, one can enter the Baptistery which leads you to a Carrara marble baptismal done by Francesco from Ancona in 1471.
The gothic style bell tower dates back to the 1300’s with twin lancet windows coronated with octagonal pyramids.

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