A Rome day tour to Viterbo

A private tour to Viterbo, Bagnaia and Bomarzo on this wonderful day out, from Rome!

Our English-speaking tour driver will meet you at your hotel for this private Rome day tour to Viterbo. Visit it’s fascinating venues, and take a trip to Bagnaia and Bomarzo as well!

Typical medieval city, Viterbo rises where once the ancient Etruscan suburb of Surena stood. In archaic time, it was abandoned on the hill where currently the Romanesque Cattedrale Di San Lorenzo of the XII century is. The suburb then became a modest Roman colony, called, Vicus Elbii or Vetus Urbs, from which the actual name of Viterbo derives; it is quoted in the documents as Castrum Viterbii from mid VIII century.

Our full-day itinerary includes a visit to Villa Lante and a trip to Bomarzo, the woodland garden of mysteries of the Orsini family.

Villa Lante is one of the greatest accomplishments of the Italian 1500s.

In particular, the fountains of the moors of the Giambologna, the two mansions (Gambara and Montalto), and a spectacular system of the fountains and water games beyond to a beautiful park are some extraordinary spectacles. The entire Villa (between the garden and park) occupies a surface of 22 hectares. The particularity of Lante Villa is shown in the magnificence of the garden, especially in the architectural work.

You will have lunch in a typical “trattoria” and after, drive to Bomarzo. Bomarzo is a fantastic garden, slightly pre-dating Villa Lante.

It slips into the theatrical, symbol-laden traditions of the Baroque period. Unsurprisingly, after several centuries of neglect, it was rediscovered during the 1950s by surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, who found inspiration in the garden’s mixture of natural and bizarre design. Together, the two gardens, Villa Lante and Villa Bomarzo, provide variation for discussing garden design and traditions, as well as the role of the country villa in aristocratic life during the Renaissance.

In the 16th century, the area around the small bishopric of Viterbo, 45 minutes north of Rome, became the summer destination for a series of popes. As a result, the small medieval towns in the surrounding countryside were transformed by sumptuous palaces, villas, and gardens.

For many architects and landscape architects, Villa Lante, begun by the Gambara family and located in Bagnaia just outside of Viterbo, is the greatest Renaissance garden ever designed. Cut into a hillside, it features an enticing assortment of architecture, sculpture, and plant material laced together by imagery and symbolism pertaining to the noble families who lived there. The garden was begun by the Farnese and completed by the Gamberaia and Lante families.

After a beautiful day in the Countryside, you’ll return to your requested location in Rome.