Montalto di Castro is a small town in the province of Viterbo in the Lazio region of Italy. It is located near the coast along the Via Aurelia at a distance of around 110km from Rome. Montalto is relatively important, since it is the here that the SP312 Castrense, which connects the coast to the more sparsely populated parts of the province, starts.
Montalto di Castro
Tourist information
Province: Viterbo. Region: Lazio. ZIP Code: 01025. Phone: (+39) 0763. Town hall: Piazza Matteotti, 11. Population: Around 9000. Frazioni (suburbs): Montalto Marina, Montalto Scalo, Pescia Romana.
By car/public transportation
The consular road Via Aurelia (SS1) forms a direct connection to Rome. The SS312 runs from Montalto di Castro to Tuscania, near Lake Bolsena. The city has its own railway station. This is not in the center however, and there is no ticket booth. There are direct bus connections to Viterbo and Civitavecchia.
Tourist Attractions
- The medieval origins of Montalto can clearly be deduced from the ancient city walls around the old town.
- Castello Guglielmi: Probably built by the Orsini family in the 15th century, with a square tower. Often reconstructed, an extra level was added towards the end of the 18th century.
- Santa Maria Assunta: 18th century church (Via Soldatelli)
- Chiesa di Santa Croce: In the Piazza Felice Guglielmi, the coat of arms above the entrance belongs to Pope Pio VI Braschi and the church itself contains the relics of the city’s patron saints Quirino and Candido.
- Palazzo del Comune: Originally a Franciscan convent, incorporated into the city walls by the Farnese family, who also turned it into a fortress (Piazza Giacomo Matteotti).
- Fontana delle Tre Cannelle and Fontana del Mascherone: Outside the city center, off the Via Aurelia. Two 18th century fountains.
- Palazzo del Chiarone: Also along the Via Aurelia, past the frazione Pescia Romana. Nowadays completely abandoned, this 90 room palazzo used to house the papal customs office.