The Popes in the countryside: Anagni, Viterbo and elsewhere

Today most people associate Castel Gandolfo with the Papal rural estates, but this is a relatively modern development.

In the Middle Ages the popes had a number of rural estates they could use, many of these were old family possessions. But far from a quiet holiday retreat for the summer. Places like Viterbo and Anagni became fortresses and centres of high politics for the medieval papacy, especially at times when the citizens of Rome asserted themselves against the popes.

This course will look at these country seats and fortresses and their history and architecture.