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Hotel Viterbo

Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of Popes)

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Gothic style, widely used in Lazio in the 13th century by the Cistercian Monks, is found in both religious and civil architecture within the city as well as in the Palazzo dei Papi (Pope’s Palace) on whose loggia one can read see the emblem which reads: created in Piazza San Lorenzo by the will of Raniero Gatti between 1255 and 1266, during a period in which the pontiffs made the city their permanent dwelling (1257-1281) holding elements tied to both religious and military architecture; a severe façade with squared embattlements is made less evident by 6 finely decorated twin lancet windows, and the aspect of the fortress, more evident on the façade facing the Faul Valley, decorated with powerful buttresses, is completely transformed in the loggia connected to the palace, suspended above by a large vault which presents a precious motif and braided arches that were at one time repeated on both sides but, even though never completed, it is one of the most admired pieces of architecture in the city.
In the center of the loggia, antiquely covered, one can admire a fountain with a shield of arms and fragments from different époques which touches the water of the well which passes the vault underneath.
Inside the palace, one can admire a large salon where five conclaves were held, including that if Pope Gregory X which lasted 3 months.
Throughout the years the palace has seen many modifications, most of them in the XVI century when Cardinal De Gambara obliterated part of the façade and stairway. In 1904, further reconstruction restored the palace to its original aspect.
Today, the rooms in the palace are used by the Curia and host a diocesan archive, a capitulary library, and the Museum of the Duomo where one can also enter the Loggia and the Conclave Hall.

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