Bolsenatravel.com invites you to an Astronomical Event at the Astronomical Observatory of Monte Rufeno from Aquapendente. The Astronomical Event will take place between August 9th – August 14th 2025: Polvere di stelle – shooting stars.
Read moreBolsenatravel.com is happy to announce the start of Grancaro 2025 on July 12th at 17 o’clock in Golfo del Grancaro Cozza Caposavi, Bolsena at Bolsena Lake.
Read moreBolsenatravel.com invites you to discover Rome – the Eternal City – that is only 2 hours away from Bolsena Lake.
Bolsenatravel.com recommends you to start your journey with a long walk in the old town along the historic Via del Corso. On Via del Corso you will discover the fascinating beauty and the unique historical heritage of Rome.
Read moreVia Francigena is a historic pilgrimage route from Canterbury to France, Switzerland and Italy to the Holy city of Rome.
În medieval times Via Francigena was connecting Abbeys and Monasteries on the way to Rome.
Via Francigena is a scenic route that will take you through the picturesque hills of Tuscany. On the road you can admire amazing medieval towns very well preserved.
The famous places along the Via Francigena include such medieval cities as Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena, Pienza, San Miniato, and more.
On Via Francigena you can visit churches, monasteries, and other historical sites such as Acquapendente, Bolsena, Monte Fiascone and Viterbo. Other attractions include beautiful Italian countryside, vineyards, thermal baths, and charming little villages.
You can start your journey in Lucca and admire the 16th century Renaissance walls that surround the historic centre. The walls offer spectacular panoramic views over the city. Lucca is the city of Giacomo Puccini and the city of 100 churches. I recommend you to visit Giacomo Puccini museum in the house where he was born in the city centre.
In Lucca I recommend you to visit the church San Michele in Foro in the photo below.
As you make your way through Via Francigena you will be surprised by the medieval towers of San Gimignano. This picturesque hill-town is home to ancient walls, fortified towers, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta. In San Gimignano, the noble families built 72 skyscrapers between 11th and 13th century. The skyscrapers were a symbol of their wealth and power. Many of the skyscrapers resisted till today and you can admire them from far away.
Siena is a beautiful medieval town boasting important historical attractions. Here you can admire the Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. In the beautiful Piazza of the Palazzo Pubblico you can attend the famous Palio (horses race) every year . The Palio is the event of each year in July and August that brings together many tourists and local people.
Pienza is a charming medieval town that offers visitors breathtaking views over Val d’Orcia. You can admire the view from its terraces and little streets high up on the hill.
In Pienza you can admire many attractions such as the Rocca, the Cathedral and the Palazzo Comunale.
Every street in Pienza will allure you with its little shops with typical food and vine and will surprise you with its medieval piazzas and churches.
Pienza has beautiful cosy restaurants where you can enjoy delicious pasta made from ancient recipes, pizza, Chianina steak (beef steak) accompanied by wonderful red wines of Val d’Orcia.
San Miniato is situated on a hill top and is famous for its stunning views and attractions. You can admire the St. Miniato al Monte Monastery and Palazzo Pretorio. This little town has a strategic view over the valley and is famous for leather working and truffle hunting. The dominant structure of the town is the Rocca, built between 1217 – 1223 to control the traffic in the area.
Bolsena town it is the enchanting medieval town on the shore of the amazing volcanic lake Bolsena. Right here, on the lake shore, Bolsena allures you with the beautiful green promenade that displays restaurants, cafes and Ice cream Kiosks. Elegant hotels will attract you to discover them and relax in their lavishing rooms.
Bolsena is the town of the Eucharistic Miracle
The walled city of Acquapendente offers plenty to explore such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bondeno, the Ugarsoni Palace, and Porta Romana.
I recommend you to visit the amazingly beautiful garden of Palazzo of Capodimonte opened to the public for visits since April 13th, 2023 on Saturdays and Sundays. The Palazzo Farnese called The Rocca is the highest point of Capodimonte old town that overlooks Bolsena Lake. Farnese Family commissioned the design of the Palace to the famous Florentine Architect Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane in the XV the century. The actual Palace in octagonal shape was built on the fortress of Signori di Bisenzio.
The Palace hosted during the centuries important personalities of the Church, of the Arts and of Politics. Lucrezia Borgia and Pope Alessandro Farnese were among the important guests of the palace.
The Palace is surrounded by a a beautiful garden that overlooks Bolsena Lake. The garden will enchant you with rare and amazing species of monumental trees and plants, well preserved since Farnese Family times.
In the 18th century, exotic plants like magnolia, the palm trees and the oleander where introduced in this amazing garden of the Palace.
There is an old bench in the garden that keeps the secret of the love story of the count and countess over the decades.
The garden terrace unveils a spectacular panoramic view over Bolsena Lake. You can admire the blue water and the beautiful islands of the lake, the green hills that surround the lake and Monte Amiata further away.
The Palace was the residence of Giulia Farnese and her brother Angelo. In 1494 Angelo died here. After the death of her brother, Giulia remained in the Palace for a while till Pope Alessandro the VI called her back to Rome. Giulia Farnese was the mistress of the Pope Alessandro Farnese. Giulia Farnese invited her friend Lucrezia Borgia to the Palace where they both spent a wonderful time together.
Enjoy the visit of the amazing panoramic garden of The Rocca in Capodimonte and be a part of the history of this place!
Civita di Bagnoregio – La città che muore/ the dying town is a magical place that you can admire from far away but you can accede only by foot, on the bridge that crosses the valley of the calanques to the entrance gate.
The calanques are hills of white clay without any vegetation, that suffer continuous erosion due to the two rivers that pass by and to the atmosferic conditions.
Civita di Bagnoregio is a masterpiece of history and art, secluded from the world by the clay valley below in continuous erosion.
Students from art and history universities across Italy visit Civita to study the hidden gems of this amazing town.
Civita di Bagnoregio is collapsing bit by bit into the void of the calanques valley below since hundreds of years.
You should hurry to admire this jewelry as is still standing and alluring us with its unique beauty and mystery!
The Etruscans found Civita di Bagnoregio 2500 ago. The Etruscan settlement had defensive walls with five gateways. Only one gateway remained till today: Porta di Santa Maria decorated with Etruscan-Roman symbols.
The original Etruscan gate still exists and is one meter away from the facade. When you enter you can notice the Etruscan arches above and the original walls built using the opus quadratum technique. This ancient technique was using large blocks of stone placed one on top of the other without cement. They are standing due to their own weight.
From Porta di Santa Maria we follow a street that is an ancient decumanus. Both the Etruscans and the Romans had precise rituals when they were founding a city. They chose the site of the city and drew the perimeter along with two perpendicular roads forming a cross. The perpendicular roads were: the cardo in north-south direction and the decumano from east to west. The point where the two roads intersected was the sacred centre of the city. In the sacred centre were the public buildings and the businesses were made. The sacred centre of Civita is in Piazza San Donato.
The ancient decumanus takes us to Piazza Colesanti. Here we can admire the residence of Colesanti Family, one of the oldest and most important families in Civita. The residence has crumbled on several occasions and now some of the windows look over the void space in the valley of the calanques.
As we walk along the decumanus, we reach the main square of the town: Piazza San Donato.
În Piazza San Donato, on the right side, we can visit the most interesting Geological and Landslide Museum inside the noble Alemanni residence. On the left side we can admire the building of the Town Hall established here in 1448. The Town Hall was transferred to Bagnoregio after the terrible earthquake in 1695. On the opposite side of the piazza we can admire the Church of Saint Donato, formerly cathedral, now a simple parish church. The Bishop’s seat was transferred to Bagnoregio. The Church was built in Romanesque style and was rebuilt in 1500. The tympanum is decorated with a ceramic image of Saint Donato.
When you enter the church, on the right side, you can see a small marble urn with a painting of Saint Victoria. Saint Victoria was martyred in 251 by the Romans under Emperor Decius.
The Carnaval in Marta is a tradition that takes place every year in February. The Carnaval in Marta starts later then other Carnavals in Italy for a reason that dates back in time.
In 1703, on February 2nd, a strong earthquake shook this region and the whole Italy. After the earthquake, the people of Marta in sign of gratitude and humility to the Madonna and the protector Saints decided to postpone the date of the Carnaval from January to February. Since then, the Carnaval in Marta starts on February 19th while in the other cities starts on January 17th.
In Marta la Festa di San Biaggio takes place every year on February 3rd with a procession of the San Biaggio through the streets of Marta. San Biaggio and Santa Marta are both patrons of the town of Marta. After the Festa di San Biaggio, will start the Carnaval on February 19th.
The Carnaval will start with the departure of the allegorical chariots at 15:30, in Via Tuscania.
You can admire the parade of allegorical chariots with characters in costumes with masks and listen to the music.
The Carnaval in Marta is a tradition that takes place every year due to the dedication and organization of Pro Loco Marta
Pro Loco Marta revived this old lost tradition and organizes the Carnaval every year together with the Municipality of Marta.
In the past years the Carnaval in Marta had an enormous success. Many people from neighboring towns and villages participate to the Carnaval or just enjoy the parade of the chariots in a burst of joy.
Come and be a part of this amazing event full of positive energy!
The Carnaval în Marta
Tarquinia has ancient Etruscan roots dating back to the 8th century B.C. and used to be Etruscan capital.
Read moreMontepulciano is famous for two things: Montepulciano exquisite Vino Nobile (wine) and Christmas Market, the biggest in the center of Italy. The Christmas Market is between Piazza Grande, Via San Donato and the neighboring streets. The Market has 60 wooden houses decorated with Christmas themes where you can find Christmas decorations, typical products, sweets, clothes and handmade objects. Here you can find Christmas presents for your family and friends.
The Christmas Market is an ideal place for street shows for all the family due to its vast walking space. In the night Piazza Grande displays the light show and animations on the buildings.
Montepulciano Christmas Market is opened from November 19th, 2022 to January 6th, 2023. For opening hours please check the website of the Montepulciano Christmas Market.
Few meters away from the Christmas Market, at the Christmas Terrace, you can enjoy a glass of the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The glass of wine is accompanied by delicious antipasti di terra. At the terrace you have an extraordinary view over Val d’Orcia magnificent landscape and you can enjoy the magical atmosphere of Toscana.
At Montepulciano you can meet with the real Santa Claus in his Castle: The Medieval Fortress of Montepulciano. The visitors will discover where Santa Claus and his Elfs are living. They can admire the Reindeers in the winter garden.
In the garden of the Castle the children can enjoy pony ride. All visitors can taste street food with sweet and salty specialities. The Castle opens from December 22nd, 2022 to January 6th, 2023 except for December 25th when is closed. You can buy tickets online.
Viterbo Christmas Village is the most magical place to meet with Santa in Bolsena Lake Region.
Viterbo Christmas Village is an enchanting place to visit between November 26th, 2022 and January 6th, 2023. For openings hours please check the website of the Viterbo Christmas Village.
Santa Claus left the North Pole this year and established himself in Palazzo Degli Alessandri in Piazza San Pelegrino. He left his sleigh in Piazza San Carluccio in Viterbo, in the center of the bigest Medieval Quartier of Europe. You can have a photo with your family in his sleigh. You can buy the tickets at the Ticket Office in Piazza San Carluccio.
In the Palace Degli Alessandri you will discover the rooms where Santa Claus lives. Santa Claus reads here the letters of the children. Santa Claus is welcoming in his armchair in the Palace every visitor and listens to his Christmas wish list. You can have a photo with Santa Claus to remind you of the magical moments spend together.
The Magic Post Office for the letters to Santa Claus is in Palazzo Degli Alessandri in Piazza San Pelegrino. Here every child can write his letter to Santa Claus with the presents he wishes to receive for Christmas. The letter is sent directly to Santa.
Come and see the famous and preferred reindeer of Santa Claus in its stall. He is resting here and he is waiting for the most important night: the Christmas Night. He will guide Santa’s sleigh through the darkness and snow to bring presents to the children. You can buy the ticket at the Ticket Office in Piazza San Carluccio.
This year you can visit a new magical place in the Christmas Market in Viterbo: the Elves Village. In this enchanted village you can walk among the sacred trees and enchanted woods where the Elves live. You can buy the ticket at the Ticket Office in Piazza San Carluccio.
This year you can meet and talk with the Grinch in the historical Tower Scacciaricci in Viterbo. The Grinch is a cynical and isolated creature that does not believe in the magic of Christmas. But you can try to persuade him to start believing in Christmas. You can buy the ticket at the Ticket Office in Piazza San Carluccio.
Nobody knows where Befana lives and where she makes the caramels. But this year you can find Befana in Piazza San Carluccio in Viterbo where is talks to the children about her caramels. You can buy the ticket at the Ticket Office in Piazza San Carluccio.
In the Mercatino del Gusto in Viterbo you can delight yourself with the sweet and salty treats of the season. Here you will discover handmade typical products in the boutiques and you can visit the Art Galleries on the way. You can buy Christmas souvenirs from the little shops on the medieval streets.
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