San Sisto, Romanesque church in Viterbo, Italy
San Sisto is a Romanesque church in Viterbo featuring two separate bell towers and an interior divided by ten columns into three naves. The capitals display Corinthian and Ionic styles decorated with leaf patterns throughout the space.
The church was built on the site of an earlier structure dedicated to Saint Mark, first documented in 1037. This replacement reflects the evolution of religious building practices in the region over centuries.
The church serves as the starting point for the Macchina di Santa Rosa procession on September 3rd, where carriers receive a blessing before departing. This tradition ties the location to an important local celebration that brings the community together annually.
The main entrance is located at Piazza San Sisto, with staircases connecting different levels due to the building adapting to the terrain. Visitors should expect uneven transitions and height changes when exploring the various sections of the interior.
Part of the medieval city wall was removed to make room for the church's apse, allowing it to extend beyond the original defensive perimeter. This adjustment reveals how religious buildings influenced the urban growth of Viterbo over time.
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