Vitorchiano, known as the "Suspended Village" is one of the most striking jewels of Tuscia Viterbo. Perched on a spectacular peperino cliff, this medieval village appears as one with the volcanic rock on which it rests, creating a landscape of rare harmony that leaves anyone who visits enchanted.
A village carved in stone
Peperino, a typical gray stone from the Cimini Mountains area, is the element that uniquely characterizes Vitorchiano. Houses, walls, squares, buildings and fountains were entirely built with this material, giving the village its homogeneous and fascinating appearance. It is no coincidence that the village was chosen as a film set by Mario Monicelli for some scenes of L'armata Brancaleone.
Strolling through the narrow, picturesque alleys, one comes across the profferli, the typical external stone stairs leading to the upper floors of the houses, sculpted fountains, portals decorated with coats of arms and inscriptions, and sudden little flowery squares that offer unforgettable views of the surrounding ravines. From the belvederes, the view opens to the Vezza Valley, framed by forests of oak, chestnut and beech trees.
History and connection to Rome
The history of Vitorchiano is intimately linked to that of Rome. In 1201, to free themselves from the influence of nearby powerful Viterbo, the inhabitants asked Urbe for protection, becoming a direct fief of the Roman Senate. From then on, Vitorchiano was proclaimed "Terra Fedelissima all'Urbe" being able to boast the symbol of the Capitoline she-wolf and the initials S.P.Q.R., which still stand out today on the facades of buildings and on city gates.
This loyalty also translated into a unique privilege: providing men for the Capitoline Guard, still present today at official ceremonies of the City of Rome in traditional costumes that, according to legend, were designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Monuments and places to visit
The historic center preserves intact its double walls separating the medieval and Renaissance parts. Among the most significant places are the Church of Santa Maria, the ancient matrix of the village, the Church of San Nicola with frescoes of the Viterbo school and a grandiose Last Judgment, the Palazzo Comunale with the civic tower and the precious archives that hold medieval parchments, the peperino houses of the Podestà, the Rabbi and the Strega, testimonies of communities and legends that have spanned the centuries. At the entrance to the village one also encounters the statue of the shepherd boy Martius, the protagonist of an ancient legend that links him once again to the city of Rome.
A village alive and welcoming
Vitorchiano is not an abandoned village, but one that is alive and well cared for, thanks to the efforts of its inhabitants who adorn balconies and alleys with flowers and keep local traditions alive. Artisan stores and taverns offer typical products of great quality, from extra virgin olive oil to wines, from cheeses to cured meats, to chestnuts, hazelnuts and mushrooms from the surrounding woods. The authentic soul of the village is also expressed in popular events, including "Peperino in Fiore", which transforms the town into a triumph of colors and scents in June; the "Sagra del Cavatello", which celebrates handmade pasta in August; and the "Poggiata", a country procession in honor of St. Michael that unites community and devotion.
The Moai of Vitorchiano
A unique curiosity makes Vitorchiano world famous: the only carved Moai outside Easter Island is located here. In 1990 eleven rapanui masters directly carved a huge block of local peperino, resulting in a six-meter-high statue weighing 30 tons, which today dominates a lookout just outside the village as a symbol of friendship and guardianship.
Nature and surroundings
The area surrounding Vitorchiano is a natural paradise: deep ravines, lush forests, wildlife and incredible biodiversity. Not far away, the Moutan Botanical Center is also worth a visit, housing the world's largest collection of peonies, with more than 250,000 specimens offering spectacular blooms in spring.
Acknowledgements
Vitorchiano is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and has been awarded the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club, certificates that confirm the excellence of its cultural, landscape and tourism offerings.
