“Dying City” – Civita di Bagnoregio and Spa Terme dei Papi

Civita di Bagnoregio sits on top of an impregnable hill and is accessible only by a footbridge, called the “Devil’s Bridge”, which connects the “dying town” with the outside world. The inhabitants of this town, despite all the inconveniences, do not leave their homes, trying to live a full life, and in this they are helped by numerous tourists who come here, some out of curiosity, and some out of love for history and the Middle Ages.

Before the XI century the town was called Balneum Regis. According to legend, the city was named by the Lombard king Desiderio (756-774 AD) after he was cured of a serious illness in the local thermal waters. In 774, Emperor Charlemagne gave the land to the Pope.

The town of Civita di Bagnoregio was founded by the Etruscans about 2,500 years ago in a strategic location of the time – on the road connecting Lake Bolsena and the Tiber River, which was the great shipping route of Central Italy.

The Etruscans made their settlement a prosperous town thanks to the development of trade.

The earthquake of 1695 destroyed the buildings on the hill to such an extent that it became dangerous to be there, and most of the townspeople moved to the foot of the hill, where the poorer classes lived. From that time onwards, the name of the new Bannorea, Bagnoregio, appeared. In the 19th century a strong earthquake accelerated the erosion and finally divided the town, forming a separate “island” and its “suburb”.

Colorful Civita di Bagnoregio is an open-air museum, here you can see preserved from the Middle Ages residential quarters, the church of San Donato, the Bishop’s Palace, the mill of the VI century, The ruins of the House of San Bonaventura and other sights, including breathtaking panoramic views from four observation decks

  • Transfer to Viterbo, where you will spend a few hours in the pool with healing water, whose properties were appreciated already in the Middle Ages, and can order a massage or various cosmetic treatments.
  • If you are not interested in the Thermae, then in the afternoon you can visit the Bomarzio Park, famous for its mysterious sculptures of monsters. In this case the tour can also take place on a Tuesday.
  • The final version of the programme is agreed upon with the clients additionally.

    All days are open except December 25, May 1, January 1

    SPA is closed to the public on Tuesdays and December 24

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