Latera, with less than a thousand inhabitants, is one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Viterbo. It is located in a hilly area in the north-western part of the province and depends mainly on agriculture and cattle breeding. The Palazzo Farnese is one of the highlights of the historical center.
Latera city guide
Tourist information
Region: Lazio. Province: Viterbo. The address of the town hall is Via Guglielmo Marconi, 3 – 01010 Latera (tel. +39 0761459041). The Zip code is 01010 and the area code is 0761. The name of the town is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.
Driving directions/public transport
Public transport: From Viterbo take a Cotral bus to Acquapendente or to Valentano, where you change to a bus to your final destination.
From Rome by public transport: First take a bus to Viterbo, then to Acquapendente or to Valentano. From these towns there are buses to Latera.
By car from Viterbo: From Viterbo take the SP7 followed by the SP8 until Valentano. From here take the SR312 in northern direction.
By car from Rome: If you want to drive along the coast, follow the E80 to Montalto di Castro and then the SR312. If you prefer to drive through the inland, follow the Via Cassia until Viterbo and then the previous description.
Sightseeing attractions
The main sights of the city are the Palazzo Farnese, the San Clemente Church and the San Giuseppe Church. The latter church dates back to the 13th century.
A brief history of Latera
Latera began its existence as an Etruscan town. Later it became a Roman settlement. After the time of Charlemagne, the city was almost always in the hands of the church. This only changed with the unification of Italy.
Latera was originally an Etruscan settlement, but was later taken over by the Romans.
In the 8th century, after Charlemagne had entered Italy and the Longobards had been defeated, it became property of the Church.
Orvieto later took over the city from the Benedictine Santissimo Salvatore Monastery on the Monte Amiato. The Church would subsequently regain its power.
In 1408, Pope Gregory XII donated Latera to the Farnese family. They owned the city until 1668. In that year, the last descendant of the family, Girolamo, died.
From then until the unification of Italy, the fate of Latera was once again dependent on the Church.