Gradoli was an independent town at 1200
Gradoli was an independent town at 1200 but the town of Orvieto conquered it in the XIII th century.
In 1537 Farnese Family annexed Gradoli to the Dukedom of Castro. Farnese family governed Gradoli until the destruction of the Dukedom of Castro by the Church in 1649.
Gradoli is a charming town that you can admire by walking on its medieval streets where you can see old churches and fountains. The town is famous for its long and beautiful beach very popular in the summer time.
Gradoli Palace was built by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese
Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (future Pope Paul III) ordered the building of the palace in Gradoli in 1515 to celebrate the marriage of his son Pier Luigi with Girolama Orsini from Pitigliano.
Cardinal Alessandro Farnese assigned the project of the palace to the famous architect Antonio da Sangallo the Young. Antonio da Sangallo the Young, the architect of Farnese Family, built the palace in the beautiful Renaissance style. He fortified the structure of the palace to resist the attacks of that period.
The palace was built on the ruins of a Medieval fortress and was a summer residence for Farnese Family. Pier Luigi and Girolama lived in the palace for short periods of time. They preferred to stay at the Roca (Castle) of Valentano.
The palace of Gradoli looks majestic due to its position up on a hill overlooking the Bolsena Lake.
The magnificent entrance door opens up to the entrance hall that still has the 16th century paving intact. You can visit the floors where the family lived.
At the first floor you can admire the beautiful Duke’s hall with its original grotesque paintings on the walls. The Duke’s hall houses an exhibition of ceramic tableware parts that belonged to the family.
The Palace houses the Museum of Costumes of the Farnese period
The rooms on the second floor have few original paintings on the walls and exhibit the Museum of Costumes of the Farnese period. In the Museum you can admire the glamorous and elegant dresses and costumes of the aristocrats of that period and also the clothes of the clericals and common people.
The second floor had a half-opened terrace with a beautiful view of the Bolsena lake. From the terrace remained a small balcony where you can admire the entire landscape of lake Bolsena and its islands.
When the destruction of the Dukedom of Castro took place in 1649, at the order of Pope Innocentius X, Gradoli passed under the rule of the Church and the palace went into a long period of decline. In 1922, Pope Benedict XV donated the palace to the community of Gradoli that used it as school and Town Hall.
The Church Santa Maria Maddalena
Near the Palace you can admire the beautiful church of Santa Maria Maddalena with the baroque facade.
In the church you can see the painting of Madonna with child from 15 century. Here you can visit de Museum of Sacred Art.
Sagras and Celebrations
Gradoli is famous for its production of Aleatico wine and virgin olive oil.
Gradoli celebrates every year the Sagra of Aleatico wine in the last weekend of July and first weekend of August. At the Sagra you can taste the wine DOC Aleatico and enjoy the gastronomic stands and the typical local products. You can also enjoy the music at the Sagra and the festive atmosphere.
Every year Saint Magno is celebrated on August 19th in the little church Saint Magno near the lake, with procession and music.
