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Via Diritta in Caprarola: the street transformed by Vignola into a stage set
In Caprarola, in the heart of the Viterbo section of the Tuscia region, Via Diritta (today Via Filippo Nicolai) represents one of the most radical urban planning operations in 16th century Italy. Cardinal Alessandro Farnese commissioned the work as a triumphal entrance to his Palazzo. The perfectly straight road had a length of approximately 680 metres. It was built between 1557 and 1564, based on a design by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (known simply as Vignola). To achieve this, Vignola had to raise the street level, introducing bridges and transforming the entire urban layout.
Underpasses, stairways, and small palaces of increasing rank
The elevation of the street relative to the underlying urban fabric created a system of underpasses, sloping alleyways, and stairways that continue to characterise the historic centre today. The buildings constructed along the street visibly raise in quality as they approach the Palazzo: the wealthiest citizens chose to live in close proximity to the town’s centre of power.
What to see while walking today
Starting from Piazza San Marco and ascending towards the Palazzo, the perspective changes and grows like magic, just the effect that Vignola was looking for.
