Place

BOLSENA

Santa Cristina – Bolsena
The origins of Bolsena go back to the III century B.C., when it was inhabited by the Etruscans who came from Velzna, which was one of the most important Etruscan cities, destroyed by the Romans in 264 B.C.

In 1263 something relevant happened. During a mass inside the Basilica of S. Cristina some drops of blood started dripping from the host and fell down on the corporal and the altar, which are still preserved in the church of S. Cristina.

Afterwards, this miracle led Pope Urbano IV to initiate a religious festival called “Corpus Domini”. Nowadays this festival is still celebrated whit a procession along the streets, where holy images are represented with petals.

On the 23th and 24th of July Bolsena celebrates “S. Cristina’s Mysteries”, which are representations of her martyrdoms performed by real people.

Under S. Cristina church there are catacombs which date back to the end of the II-III century B.C.. along the way to Orvieto you can also find many ancient Etruscan monuments.

“La Rocca”, nowadays called Monaldeschi castle, was built by the inhabitants of orvieto during XII- XIV century. It dominates the town of Bolsena and during the middle ages it was thanks to these walls that the town was defended. It is possible to visit the castle and it’s interesting museum where many archaeological findings of lake Bolsena are preserved.

Near Viterbo you can visit the well-known residencies of Bagnaia and Caprarola, magnificent buildings of the XVI century belonged to the Orsini and Farnese family.

Between Viterbo and Bagnaia the Sanctuary of “Madonna di La Quercia” is situated, bult by Giuliano and Antonio Sangallo, and by Andrea della Robbia (1507).

Il is important to remember the Monster Park in Bomarzo, in which there are 15th century sculptures by Orsini. You can also visit the Doria Pamphili palace in San Martino al Cimino and the ancient town of Vitorchiano.

Among cultural events it is important to remember the theatric summer season of Ferento.

Lago di Bolsena
For those who want to enjoy the benefits of a thermal bath, near the farm we can find thermal springs of Viterbo, San Casciano dei Bagni e Saturnia.

You can also have many opportunities of tasting the typical wines and foods, like the Est! Est!! Est!!!, the Falesco, the Aleatico wine or the oliv oil, cherry-stones, schestnuts, mushrooms and many kinds of fish.

This region is full of important ancient places. The necropolis and the National Etruscan Museum in Tarquinia, the Necropolis and the romanic churches in Tuscania, the Necropolis of Pianezze in Grotte di Castro, the Necropolis of Norchia in Vetralla, the Necropolis, the castle and the Bridge of the Abbadia in Vulci.

It is also important to remember the reopening of the naturalistic archeological site where you can find Roman ruins, nearby the WWF oasis.