June 1, 2018
Soriano nel Cimino is a small, enchanting medieval town rising on top of a hill in Latium’s Province of Viterbo neighboring Umbria. The town is surrounded by the chestnut forests abundant in this region, with the nearby Mount Cimino rising up to 1053 meters.
Soriano dates its origin to Etruscan times, although its visible aspect is mostly medieval. The town is crowned by the Orsini castle that rises above its labyrinthine alleys, built for Pope Nicolas III in the 13th century. The castle was a summer papal residence, and the village benefited from its presence and the patronage of the wealthy popes and their friends.
The town also includes the Renaissance-era Palazzo Chigi-Albani, built in the 1560s. The cathedral dedicated to St. NIcolas was constructed on a Greek cross plan and is topped by a wide dome.