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The Albornoz Fortress and the National Archaeological Museum

Piazza della Rocca, 21b, 01100 Viterbo VT, Italia ★★★★☆ 186 views
Karla Smith
Viterbo
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About The Albornoz Fortress and the National Archaeological Museum

The Albornoz Fortress and the National Archaeological Museum - Viterbo | Secret World Trip Planner

The Albornoz Fortress, seat of the National Archaeological Museum of Viterbo, whose last three sections are being completed, was built in 1354 by Cardinal Gil Alvarez Carrillo de Albornoz. After a series of destructions and renovations, in 1506 Julius II called the Bramante to whom we owe the courtyard and the central fountain. After the last devastations of the war, the recovery carried out by the Civil Engineers from 1960 to 1979 was taken care of by the B.A.A. Superintendence of Latium together with the Archaeological Superintendence for Southern Etruria, which assigned the structure as a museum. Currently the ground floor houses the section "Etruscan Architecture in the Viterbo area", with finds from the Swedish excavations of Acquarossa and S. Giovenale, through a series of interesting reconstructions of archaic Etruscan houses, with mostly original elements. On the first floor there are finds coming from the Etruscan-Roman centre of Musarna, from which comes the exceptional mosaic with Etruscan alphabet inscription and the sculptural and architectural decoration coming from the theatre of Ferento, with the cycle of the Muses.

The Albornoz Fortress and the National Archaeological Museum - Viterbo | Secret World Trip Planner
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  1. 🌅
    Morning
    The Albornoz Fortress and the National Archaeological Museum
    📍 Viterbo
  2. ☀️
    Afternoon
    Viterbo and the Church of San Faustino and Giovita
    📍 0.2 km · Viterbo
  3. 🌆
    Evening
    Viterbo | Union Theatre
    📍 0.3 km · Viterbo

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Albornoz Fortress was built in 1354 by Cardinal Gil Alvarez Carrillo de Albornoz. The structure underwent significant renovations in 1506 when Pope Julius II commissioned the renowned architect Bramante, who designed the courtyard and central fountain that visitors can still see today.
The ground floor features the "Etruscan Architecture in the Viterbo area" section, showcasing finds from Swedish excavations at Acquarossa and S. Giovenale. The museum displays interesting reconstructions of archaic Etruscan houses with mostly original architectural elements, providing insight into ancient Etruscan domestic life.
The first floor displays artifacts from the Etruscan-Roman centre of Musarna, including an exceptional mosaic with an Etruscan alphabet inscription. You'll also find sculptural and architectural decorations from the theatre of Ferento, featuring a notable cycle of the Muses that showcases Roman artistic achievement.
The fortress was assigned as a museum following extensive restoration work carried out from 1960 to 1979 by the B.A.A. Superintendence of Latium and the Archaeological Superintendence for Southern Etruria. The current museum is still completing its final three sections to provide visitors with a comprehensive archaeological experience.
The fortress is notable for combining 14th-century medieval construction by Cardinal Albornoz with Renaissance design elements added by Bramante in 1506, particularly the elegant courtyard and central fountain. Its strategic location in Viterbo and subsequent transformation into a museum housing major Etruscan and Roman collections makes it an important cultural landmark in the region.