Nearby Towns

BOLSENA (12 km)

Located on the eastern shore of the largest volcanic lake in Europe, Bolsena is a charming small town full of quaint shops and artisan’s studios, its own medieval castle that houses a local museum and the Basilica of S. Cristina, site of the “Eucaristic miracle” of 1263 that led to the creation of the Feast of Corpus Christi. There are beaches for swimming, boats are available for hire and boat trips of the lake leave from the port, one of two on the lake. There are a number of lakeside restaurants where you can sample grilled Coregone, the delicious local white fish.

BAGNOREGIO (6.5 km)

The nearest town for conveniences, it was the birthplace of the Medieval philosopher Saint Bonaventure whose feast day (July 15) the town celebrates with several days of festivities. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Cività di Bagnoregio was the ancient town center, and the modern town was its outskirts but erosion of the soft volcanic tufa stone on which it was built has left the old city accessible only by a long footbridge.

CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO (8.7 km)

Founded by the Etruscans and with Medieval and Renaissance architecture, it is known as “the dying city” due to the erosion of its bedrock and an earthquake in the 1600’s which led to it being largely abandoned. Considered one of the prettiest villages in Italy, its charm has led to a recent revival of tourism and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a charming church in the main and really only true piazza in town, and a bare-back donkey race called the Palio della Tonna is held there on the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of September.

MONTEFIASCONE (8 km)

Built on a hill that commands breathtaking views of the lake below, and often spectacular sunsets, the town lived its period of highest splendor between the 11th and 14th centuries as part of the Papal States, with Popes often taking up residence in the castle at the Rocca dei Papi. The Church of San Flaviano along the Via Cassia has impressive 14th century frescoes that are generally worth a visit. The town is also known for its white wine! Its name comes from the story of a German bishop traveling to the Vatican who sent his valet ahead to scout for good wine and write “Est” (“there is” in Latin) on the doors of inns where he found it. When he arrived in Montefiascone, he found “Est! Est! Est!” written, and that is the name of the local wine.