THE CITY

The host city is Viterbo, in central Italy, located between the great tourist magnets of Rome and Tuscany, around 65 miles (105km) north of Rome. The medieval walled hilltown is situated in the Lazio region. Rather confusingly, the area is also known as Tuscia, and lies within the loosely-defined area of Etruria, which spreads through Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany, incorporating the heartlands of the ancient Etruscan civilisation. Viterbo boasts a beautiful historic centre, which has been preserved and comprises the old urban core enclosed by the town wall, while the modern, commercial and industrial part is nearer to the defensive walls.

This area was the centre of the Etruscan civilisation, whose remains are dotted around the countryside, and a later Roman town was situated nearby at Ferento (Roman Ferentum). It was in the Middle Ages, however, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, that Viterbo attained real importance. While the city of Rome struggled through chaos and feuding, Viterbo became a favourite refuge for embattled popes. It may seem surprising now, but there was a time when Viterbo was larger and more successful than Rome, and much of its fine architecture, such as the Papal Palace, dates to this era.

In the central Piazza San Lorenzo stand the Cathedral, built in the 12th Century, and the Palazzo dei Papi (Papal Palace), residence for the popes since 1255, and remembered as the site where the longest and most disputed conclave in history took place. Not far away is Piazza del Plebiscito, fronted by Palazzo dei Priori, considered the historical, social and institutional hub of the city, and connected by the Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) to the Medieval Palazzo del Podestà.

Viterbo is an ideal starting point for sightseeing tours and excursions following archaeological and historical itineraries, such as those that wind along the route of the Via Francigena (Francigena Way), over the centuries followed by pilgrims to Rome. From Proceno to Acquapendente, from Bolsena to Montefiascone and again past the Cimini Mountains, the tour could continue to Vetralla, Capranica, Sutri and Monterosi.

Just outside Viterbo are the natural hot springs of Bullicame, known since ancient times. Nowadays there is a thermal spa complex on the site, called Terme dei Papi (Spa of the Popes). A range of treatments is offered, or you can pay a charge simply to use the facilities and bathe in the waters, which emerge at over 40 degrees (bring swimsuits and towels). An adventurous and atmospheric alternative, if you have a car, is to visit the hot sulphurous pools at Bagnaccio, which sit in the middle of the countryside. Drive along the Via Cassia Nord towards Montefiascone, and after about three miles take the turning towards Marta. A short way down this road take a left turning down a rough road by a Roman ruin. Along this unsurfaced road you'll find the pools where you can bathe. Apparently, these are maintained by volunteers and they are an unforgettable sight in the countryside: hot natural pools in a field where (on our visit) happy nearly-naked German tourists sat contentedly in steaming waters.

Viterbo is famous for the trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa, a procession which takes place on the evening of 3rd September, to commemorate the relocation of the body of Saint Rosa from the Church of Santa Maria del Poggio to the church of San Damiano (the Sanctuary of Santa Rosa). The Macchina di Santa Rosa is a gigantic structure, nearly 30 metres high, which is carried through the streets by a large team of strong local men. Contests are held to select designs for the Macchina, which is replaced every five years. The porters who bear the Macchina are organised in an association, the Sodalizio dei Facchini di Santa Rosa, which has its own little museum.

Other town events include a May flower festival: San Pellegrino in fiore, and a Baroque festival taking place in September and October.

THE CONFERENCE

The Conference will be held at the historical complex in Santa Maria in Gradi, nearby Porta Romana, headquarters of Tuscia University central offices.

The address is: Via S. Maria in Gradi n°4, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

The foundation of the Dominican complex of Santa Maria in Gradi is remembered for the first time in a document in 1228 in which a donation to the monks living there for the constructione ecclesiae (construction of the church) is cited. In 1224 a bull of the Pope Innocenzo IV ratified the construction of the whole complex for wishes of the Cardinal Raniero Capocci. Since 2000 the complex of Santa Maria in Gradi is located the Tuscia University in Viterbo, whit the Rector’s Office and the Administrative Offices, and Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures Faculty too. The main cloister, begun in 1256 and completed during the papacy of Alexander IV - promoter of its construction - was the work of Nicola and Giovanni Pisano.

HOW TO REACH THE CONFERENCE

By plane:

The nearest airport (32 kilometres) to the conference venue is the Rome - Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport .

Alternatively, you can fly to Rome - Ciampino Airport .

Several bus services (COTRAL, TERRAVISION, SIT BUS SHUTTLE and others) are available to transfer partecipants between the two airports and the main railway stations in Rome (Tiburtina, Termini).

The Rome railway stations are connected to the Viterbo - Porta Romana railway station which is only 700 meters far from the Conference Venue. See Trenitalia website for timetables and connections.

From Fiumicino Airport you can also reach Viterbo by train: from the railway station, located in the airport, near the Arrivals and Departures terminals, you can reach the city centre with Trenitalia's connections: see Trenitalia website for timetables and lines.

By train:

The conference venue is 700 meters away from the Viterbo Porta Romana railway station. See Trenitalia website for timetables and connections.

By car:

​The conference venue is situated in the centre of Viterbo.

• FROM THE MOTORWAY A1 MILAN - NAPLES: Exit at Orte. Take the dual carriage-way E45 in the direction of Viterbo. Exit Viterbo Terme.
• FROM THE E45 DUAL CARRIAGE-WAY RIMINI - CESENA - PERUGIA - TERNI: Take the dual carriage-way for Viterbo. Exit at Viterbo Terme.
• FROM ROME AND FROM FIUMICINO AND CIAMPINO AIRPORTS: Take exit no. 5 off the Rome ring-road (Grande Raccordo Anulare), follow Via Cassia Veientana (Cassia Bis) as far as Monterosi. Take the Cassia bis road to Viterbo.
• FROM THE PORT OF CIVITAVECCHIA: Take the road ‘Aurelia Bis towards Viterbo. After Monteromano turn off onto the dual carriage-way (Superstrada) A45 exit at Viterbo Terme.