When we think of Italy we think passion....everything is done with such gusto! This trip hopes to reflect our personal passion, who we are, what makes us tick, what we hope to achieve in a world we hope to live in.
Viterbo is a natural fit for this, having a passionate past of its own. Viterbo is an ancient city.in the Lazio region of central Italy, approx 80km from Rome. The historic centre of this city still has the medieval walls intact, built during the 11 and 12 C. Viterbo is also home to the academy of fine arts and the university of Tuscia.
Viterbo is said to date back to 8C. It became part of the Papal states, althgough this was heavily contested in the following centuries. The Popes enjoyed Viterbo especially as they had difficulties exerting their power in Rome. In fact Viterbo was often at war with Rome, deploying its militias against the Emperors.
By the 13C the Gatti and De Vico families ruled alternately. tyrannical and cruel, they held court until 1431.
Then there is the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo, designed by Lombardi architects and is built over a temple dedicated to Hercules. It has been re-built many times, the last time being after a bomb in 1944.
The Cathedral houses art work in particular Gerolamo da Cremona's Christ blessing.
Terme dei Papi, are the thermal springs, sulphur baths in the valley of the Arcione river. These hot springs, (which we will be visiting) have reputedly healing properties and have been used since Etruscan times. The springs are even mentioned in Dante's inferno;
In silence we had reached a place where flowed
a slender watercourse out of the wood—a stream
whose redness makes me shudder still.
As from the Bulicame pours a brook whose
waters are then shared by prostitutes, so did this
stream run down across the sand.[
Viterbo has also been cited as the place where Tarot emerged in Italy. In actual fact it was the Saracen cards that became popular here in 1379 as chronicled by Giovanni de Juzzo Corvelluzzo. There are 3 chronicles of Viterbo still surviving, but it is must be made clear that it wasn't Tarot that appeared at this particular time but playing cards brought by the Saracens, Arab muslims. They played a game called Nayb.
The history of playing cards and their link to Tarot is quite fascinating, but that is a whole new blog!!
Viterbo is also fortunate to have the very unusual Tarot gardens close by.
Other places of interest are the renaissance inspired Palazzo Farnesse with its internal circular court yard, home to some beautiful frescoes. the Palazzo dei Priori being another.
Museo Civico holds many Etruscan treasures, capturing Viterbo's ancient history.
Some of our activities will take place at the Hotel where we will be staying the Ora Domus.
Former convent of Saint Maria Della Quercia. It is situated on the Via Francigenia ,a major route, leading to Rome from Canterbury, a pilgrims path. Built between 1470 and 1525. The site was chosen for a convent after pestilence struck Viterbo, everyone came to pray to the Holy Virgin, painted on a roof tile (1417) and stuck to a tree, many miracles were said to have taken place and thus the terrain was considered sacred.
All of this makes for a magical experience and I hope to be able to connect with the place In a spiritual way.
I feel that this visit will be enriching on so many levels. The charm and history of the area offer so many opportunities to discover our spiritual heritage and personal passion.
Viterbo is a natural fit for this, having a passionate past of its own. Viterbo is an ancient city.in the Lazio region of central Italy, approx 80km from Rome. The historic centre of this city still has the medieval walls intact, built during the 11 and 12 C. Viterbo is also home to the academy of fine arts and the university of Tuscia.
Viterbo is said to date back to 8C. It became part of the Papal states, althgough this was heavily contested in the following centuries. The Popes enjoyed Viterbo especially as they had difficulties exerting their power in Rome. In fact Viterbo was often at war with Rome, deploying its militias against the Emperors.
By the 13C the Gatti and De Vico families ruled alternately. tyrannical and cruel, they held court until 1431.
Then there is the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo, designed by Lombardi architects and is built over a temple dedicated to Hercules. It has been re-built many times, the last time being after a bomb in 1944.
The Cathedral houses art work in particular Gerolamo da Cremona's Christ blessing.
Terme dei Papi, are the thermal springs, sulphur baths in the valley of the Arcione river. These hot springs, (which we will be visiting) have reputedly healing properties and have been used since Etruscan times. The springs are even mentioned in Dante's inferno;
In silence we had reached a place where flowed
a slender watercourse out of the wood—a stream
whose redness makes me shudder still.
As from the Bulicame pours a brook whose
waters are then shared by prostitutes, so did this
stream run down across the sand.[
Viterbo has also been cited as the place where Tarot emerged in Italy. In actual fact it was the Saracen cards that became popular here in 1379 as chronicled by Giovanni de Juzzo Corvelluzzo. There are 3 chronicles of Viterbo still surviving, but it is must be made clear that it wasn't Tarot that appeared at this particular time but playing cards brought by the Saracens, Arab muslims. They played a game called Nayb.
The history of playing cards and their link to Tarot is quite fascinating, but that is a whole new blog!!
Viterbo is also fortunate to have the very unusual Tarot gardens close by.
Other places of interest are the renaissance inspired Palazzo Farnesse with its internal circular court yard, home to some beautiful frescoes. the Palazzo dei Priori being another.
Museo Civico holds many Etruscan treasures, capturing Viterbo's ancient history.
Some of our activities will take place at the Hotel where we will be staying the Ora Domus.
Former convent of Saint Maria Della Quercia. It is situated on the Via Francigenia ,a major route, leading to Rome from Canterbury, a pilgrims path. Built between 1470 and 1525. The site was chosen for a convent after pestilence struck Viterbo, everyone came to pray to the Holy Virgin, painted on a roof tile (1417) and stuck to a tree, many miracles were said to have taken place and thus the terrain was considered sacred.
All of this makes for a magical experience and I hope to be able to connect with the place In a spiritual way.
I feel that this visit will be enriching on so many levels. The charm and history of the area offer so many opportunities to discover our spiritual heritage and personal passion.
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