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Photo: I have published this image as author Claudius Ziehr under the " CC-BY-SA-3.0 (de) " in Wikipedia. This means that free, commercial usage outside of Wikipedia is permitted under the following…, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 42°29′19″ N, 12°07′57″ E
History and description
Ferentium was a town of ancient Etruria, situated near the modern city of Viterbo in the northern part of the Roman province of Latium, now in modern Lazio. The city was also known as Ferentinum, Ferentum or Ferentia, and should not be confused with ancient Ferentinum (now Ferentino), which is in southern Lazio.
History
Ferentium had an Etruscan predecessor at modern Acquarossa, as shown by the presence of a necropolis. In the Roman period, the city was a municipium of the Stellatina tribe and part of the seventh regio of the province of Italia. Several famous families came from the city, including that of the Roman emperor Otho and Flavia Domitilla, the wife of the emperor Vespasian. Either she or her identically named daughter were worshipped as diva Domitilla.
Around 400 AD. diocese Ferentium was established. After 700 AD, the diocese was suppressed. In 1172 Ferentium was conquered, sacked, and depopulated by Viterbo, and the territory incorporated into this neighboring city.
Archaeological investigations
Much of the early work at the site is due to the "archaeologist king" Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden. The most recent excavations took place between 1994 and 2009 under the supervision of Tuscia University in Viterbo. Many of the most important remains may be found in the National Archaeological Museum at Rocca Albornoz, Viterbo, including some reconstructed building remains and some marble statues depicting characters from classical tragedy and comedy which presumably came from the area of the theater. A small wooden model of the theater is also present.
Nearby sites include "Acquarossa" which was itself excavated in the years between 1956 and 1978 by the Swedish Institute in Rome.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Ferentium».
Photos
Getting there
Grotte Santo StefanoTrain, nearest
4.2 km as the crow flies
Ferentium
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Lazio
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- Free 1st Sunday
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Ferentium?
Ferentium is in Viterbo, in the province of Viterbo (Lazio), Italy. GPS coordinates: 42.48861, 12.13250.
What else is there to see near Ferentium?
Nearby you’ll find: Area archeologica antica città di Ferento (100 m away), Acquarossa (600 m away), Vitorchiano (4.2 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 4 photos
- (Claudius Ziehr) Ferento 01 — I have published this image as author Claudius Ziehr under the " CC-BY-SA-3.0 (de) " in Wikipedia. This means that free, commercial usage outside of Wikipedia is permitted under the following…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ferentium 1088 — Carlomorino, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ferento 1082 — Carlomorino, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Viterbo - Area archeologica antica città di Ferento - 2024-09-30 21-46-42 001 — Enrica Ridolfi, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences