The Palazzo dei Papi or Palace of the Popes in Viterbo, a large regional town south east of Capalbio situated between two large volcanic lakes. It has ancient Etruscan origins, a fabulous medieval center, a torturous history as the site of centuries of disputes between the papacy and its enemies, and home of regional tyrants and warlords during the middle ages.

It was also the site of the longest papal conclave from 1268-71, almost three years! After two, the fed up locals locked the cardinals in, walled up the doors and windows, and fed them only bread and water. When that didn’t work, they took off the roof, exposing the cardinals to the wind, sun, rain, and cold. Three of the cardinals actually died before they finally made a decision.