Vitterbo Day Off

It was ever so nice to have a day off.  I had been walking seven days straight of long up and down, so a day off was good. This town is hilly, and I logged on 8.1 miles in playing tourist. 

The weather was perfect, about 65 to 70 degrees with just enough breeze to ruffle your hair.

I did quite a bit of window shopping.  I think gold is cheaper here.  I purchased a beautiful pair of earrings for a song (well, a little more...my singing wouldn't earn me any baubles, but it might get me run out of town.  LOL! I always like to have a souvenir for completing a Camino, so I guess I will have to return them if I don't finish.

This is the Cathedral of Saint Lorenzo. The area that it occupies is the highest point and cultural center of Viterbo. 

The main altar is rather plain.

But the side altars are much showier and interesting.

And the ceilings were quite spectacular.

This is the ceiling in the sacristy.  It was my favorite thing in the cathedral.

The cathedral is heavily connected with the Camino Francigena, and I was able to get a stamp for my pilgrim credentials at the Cathedral. Usually, anything associated with the Camino has an old male peregrino, so it was good to see a woman.

The beautiful iron doors.

This columned wall has become the symbol of Viterbo.  It is called the Palazzo dei Papi or Papal Palace. I bought a ticket and wandered around it.

This cross was fascinating.  It was a newer more modern cross but made of many fine pieces of porcelain.

The ceiling had beautiful frescos all around it.

The view of the Church of the Madonna from the Papal Palace.

It is hard to believe this is the front of the Madonna Church.  It looked so different from a distance.  Like many of the churches in this area, the main altar is fairly plain.

One of the side altars.

This side altar was so ornate and has clam- shells all around it.  Clamshells are the symbol of all the Camino de Santiagos also.  There was a trail marker right outside the church. I think this was the prettiest altar I have seen on my journey, and it had special meaning because it is dedicated to the pilgrims of old.

The worker/artist on the right was a woman.  She was the one wielding the power saw.  Good to know that all things are possible for women in Italy.

I haven't decided where to have dinner tonight.  Last night, the highlight of my meal was a fennel salad.  All it was thinly sliced fennel (think mandoline thin) with some quality olive oil drizzled on top.  What could be easier? And I loved it. My ever adventurous foodie husband will see this on the menu at home.