Top 6 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Anagni, Lazio

Anagni, known as the City of the Popes, gave birth to four popes and has long been the papal residence. In the historical center, full of elegant and austere buildings, Romanesque churches, steeples, loggias and piazzas, architecturally sober and basic, stands the Bonifacio VIII Palace, location of memorable events during the European Middle Ages. Public can visit the palace every day with a 5€ ticket and audioguide included (five languages available). In 1296, Philip IV taxed the French clergy, forbade the export of money, gold and silver outside the kingdom, claimed the right to judge the French clergy and repeatedly disobeyed to all the rebukes of Bonifacio VIII. Philip believed he have to be accountable only to God and judged Bonifacio VIII as an unworthy Pope. After he risked to be excommunicated several times, he sent Guglielmo of Nogaret in Italy in ordero to organize the party opposed to Bonifacio VIII, and to made the Pope judged by a general council. Bonifacio was ready to excommunicate the king, but he did not have time: on 7th September of 1303 over thousand mercenaries men led by Giacomo Sciarra Colonna reached him in Anagni. The enemies entered the doors already open by traitors of the pope, including the greatniece of the other Anagni Pope Gregorio IX. The attackers shouted: “Long live the King of France, die Pope Boniface!”. The negotiations began, Sciarra demanded the surrender and resign from the papacy and the pope refused. Bonifacio was willing to martyrdom and replied to Sciarra’s fury by saying: “E le col e le cape! Nosco primogenitum Sathane”” Here is the neck, here is the head! I acknowledge Satan first-born. ” And on this occasion the story tells that Sciarra Colonna slapped the Pope Bonifacio VIII.