city state · Italy

Commune of Viterbo

1095 CE – 1396 CE (approx.) · capital Viterbo

A papal city-commune north of Rome that hosted popes in the 13th century and gave the Church the longest papal election in its history.

Origins

Viterbo grew on the Via Cassia in northern Lazio, and consuls governing the town are recorded by 1095. It expanded by subduing neighbouring towns and fought a long rivalry with the Commune of Rome, while recognising the distant overlordship of the Papal States.

Rule and society

The commune was ruled by consuls, then a podestà, while rival clans such as the Gatti and the prefects of Vico fought for control. From the mid-13th century popes often lived there, and the Palazzo dei Papi was built for them. The election of 1268–1271 dragged on for almost three years until the townspeople locked the cardinals in and removed the roof, leading to the conclave rules of Gregory X.

Decline and legacy

In the 14th century Giovanni di Vico made himself lord of the city until Cardinal Albornoz restored papal authority in 1354. After further strife the town came under direct papal government at the end of the century and remained part of the Papal States until 1870.

Lineage

Commune of ViterboPapal States 754 CE – 1870 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Commune of Viterbo. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-viterbo
MLA
“Commune of Viterbo.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-viterbo. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Commune of Viterbo.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-viterbo.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Commune of Viterbo’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-viterbo (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻