Official Information
Official site: https://comune.viterbo.it/vivere-il-comune/luoghi/palazzo-dei-papi/
Online tickets: https://shop.articketing.com/it/monuments/muvi-musei-di-viterbo
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo 10, 01100 Viterbo (VT), Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
The Palazzo dei Papi is visited as part of the Polo Monumentale Colle del Duomo. From April to October, it is generally open every day 10:00–19:00 (last entry around 18:00). From November to March, hours are typically Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00, closed Tuesday and certain holidays (especially 24 and 25 December). It is recommended to check the latest schedule with MuVi or Archeoares for seasonal variations before your visit.
The Palazzo dei Papi in Viterbo is a key symbol of the medieval city and one of the few places where you can still walk through spaces that once housed the papal court outside Rome. Built in the mid-13th century by expanding the episcopal residence to host Pope Alexander IV and his successors, the complex stands on the Colle del Duomo next to the cathedral of San Lorenzo. Its most iconic feature is the Loggia delle Benedizioni, or Loggia of the Popes, a long open gallery with pointed triple arches overlooking Piazza San Lorenzo. From here, popes once gave public blessings and today visitors enjoy wide views over Viterbo’s rooftops.
Inside, the route managed by the Polo Monumentale Colle del Duomo includes the Aula del Conclave, the grand hall where the famous conclave of 1268–1271 stretched on for nearly three years, prompting local authorities to lock in the cardinals and even remove the roof to force a decision. Exhibits and panels explain this episode and the broader significance of Viterbo as a papal seat. The visit is usually combined with access to the Diocesan Museum in the adjacent Museo Colle del Duomo and parts of the cathedral complex. Your ticket covers a layered exploration of religious and civic history, mixing original stonework with restored elements due to ongoing efforts to preserve the medieval character of the complex.
Guided tours and audioguides offered by Archeoares add context to the architecture, the coats of arms in the courtyard, and the shifts in papal politics that brought the curia to Viterbo. Due to staircases and narrow passages, the route may be challenging for those with limited mobility, but staff can advise on current accessibility. Before or after your visit, it is worth exploring the surrounding quarter, where small streets, other palaces, and vantage points over the Tuscia countryside reinforce the impression of a fortified hill city that once briefly rivaled Rome in importance.