The Via San Lorenzo is one of the main streets in the center of Viterbo. The street connects the Piazza San Lorenzo, via the Piazza della Morte, with the Piazza del Plebiscito.
Via San Lorenzo Viterbo
History and description
The Via San Lorenzo is one of the main medieval streets of Viterbo. By connecting the Piazza San Lorenzo and the Piazza del Plebiscito it also connects the religious and civic centers of the city.
The lion on a column the beginning of the street, next to the Palazzo della Prefettura, by looking over its shoulder into the Via San Lorenzo, symbolizes the connection between church and civic powers.
The Via Chigi, with the Palazzo Chigi and its medieval tower, is one of the first side streets on the right.
The enormously tall tower a little bu further on is the Torre del Borgognone, which stands guard over the beautiful Piazza del Gesù.
The most striking building in the Via San Lorenzo is the Palazzo Farnese. Other interesting buildings are the Torre di Borgognone and the 15th century Palazzo Chigi.
A little further on you can see an arch, which used to lead to the former hospital.
Approaching the Piazza del Duomo (as the Piazza San Lorenzo is also often called), one sees large boulders on both sides of the street. These are parts of the ancient Etruscan and Roman city walls.