Itineraries

 

Villas and Castles

Villa Lante in Bagnaia, Villa Farnese in Caprarola and Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo are three late-Renaissance architectural wonders with gardens, fountains, frescoes and sculptures. Many other castles and palaces, once possessed by noblemen and high-rank clerics, contribute to make up the truly remarkable local heritage: Orsini (Soriano nel Cimino and Vasanello), Marescotti­-Ruspoli (Vignanello), Monaldeschi (Bolsena), Farnese (Caprarola, Gradoli, Valentano), Borgia (Civitacastellana, Nepi), Ode­scalchi (Bassano Romano), Albornoz (Viterbo), Santacroce-Altieri (Oriolo Romano). The grand structures of Rocca dei Papi in Montefiascone and the Castello dell’Abbadia in Vulci join this impressive architectural roll of honour.

Historic Towns

Viterbo is certainly a city worth visiting: aristocratic buildings (Palazzo dei Priori, dei Papi, Fanese, Poscia, Gatti, Mazzatosta), the medieval quarter of San Pellegrino, a dozen artistic fountains, churches and cloisters from various ages, a museum containing  many masterpieces (Sebastiano del Piombo’s “Pietà”) and a well preserved surrounding wall, dating back to the 11th century.

But there are remarkable historic towns too: Tuscania, partly rebuilt after the earthquake in 1971; Vitorchiano, accessed by one gate only; Civita di Bagnoregio, connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge over the Calanchi valley; Calcata, where many artists from all over the world have taken up residence; Bassano in Teverina, recently restored; Bomarzo, where there is the Sacred Forest, better known as the "Parco dei Mostri"- or Park of Monsters; Orte, situated in the centre of the Tiber Valley; Marta, a fisherman's village; San Martino al Cimino, a fine example of Baroque town-planning.

Spiritual places

In Tuscania there are the Romanesque churches of Saint Peter and Santa Maria Maggiore, two examples of early Christian art. Not far from Viterbo, you can find the imposing abbey of San Martino al Cimino, built by the Cistercians of Pontigny. Other notable monuments are: in Viterbo, the churches of San Sisto, San Giovanni in Zoccoli and Santa Maria Nuova; the churches of San Flaviano in Montefiascone, Santa Maria in Castello in Tarquinia and San Francesco in Vetralla.

Just 2 km from Viterbo, there is the Madonna della Quercia sanctuary, a fine Renaissance church. Another noteworthy construction is the Duomo, or Cathedral, in Civitacastellana. Saints to be venerated: Santa Rosa and San Crispino (Viterbo), Santa Cristina (Bolsena), San Bonaventura (Bagnoregio), the Madonna ad Rupes (Castel Sant'E­lia) and the Santo Sepolcro (Acquapenden­te).

Archaeology

First and foremost, Tarquinia. Its Etruscan necropolis (where you can visit only a dozen tombs) is renowned for its wall paintings (VI-III centuries B.C.) illustrating scenes of daily life: hunting, banquets, dances, games, animals, demons and so on. In Tuscania, you will find the sarcophaguses of the late Etruscan family Curunas (IV-II century B.C.); in Vulci, the bronzes and black buccheros.

With extreme caution, you can access the necropolis of Blera, Barbarano Romano, Norchia and Castel d'Asso: all cut in the tufa, they are wrapped in thick, protective vegetation. Other noteworthy sites are the remains of the ancient Roman Theatre of Ferento (near Viterbo) and, in Falerii Novi (Fabrica di Roma), the Cyclopean walls of the ancient village that has been destroyed and abandoned during the Middle Ages.

Landscape

About 30 kilometres of coastlines with sandy beaches and large pinewoods between Tarquinia Lido and Marina di Montalto di Castro, two renowned seaside resorts. The Maremma laziale, instead, stretches inland: golden fields, olive groves and vineyards reach the slopes of the Vulsini and Cimini Mountains, whose principal craters are occupied by the Bolsena (Bisentina and Martana islands) and Vico Lakes. Uncontaminated nature reserves in Monte Rufeno (Acquapendente), Selva del Lamone (Fanese, Ischia di Castro) and Vico Lake (Caprarola, Ronciglione). Soriano nel Cimino has one of the most notable beech woods, at an altitude of 1,053 metres. From Civita di Bagnoregio, you can take a wonderful view over the lunar landscape created by the Calanchi (big clay formations rising all around the town).

Curiosities

In Viterbo, on the evening of 3rd September, the procession of the so-called Macchina of St. Rosa takes place. The Macchina (engine of war) is a lighted tower 30 metres high weighing five tons which is hoisted onto the shoulders of around one hundred “porters” and thus borne aloft through the streets of the city.

In Roncigliore, a particularly important festivity is the Carnival during which a riderless horserace takes place through the streets of the town.

In May, Acquapendente commemorates the expulsion of Barbarossa with the procession of the “pugnaloni.” These are large compositions of leaves and petals depicting various religious and allegorical subjects.

Bolsena celebrates the feast of Corpus Domini staging a large procession through the flower-strewn streets of the centre in celebration of the Miracle in the Church of St. Christine. On the evening of 23rd and 24th July, the town celebrates its patron saint, the martyr Christine, with a display of living compositions depicting scenes from the martyrdom of the saint (the Mysteries of St. Christine).

Marta is a village known for its festival in honour of the Madonna del Monte (14th May), called Barabbata, during which the men, divided into ancient guilds, go to the sanctuary in a procession.

At Latera, during the Good Friday procession, hymns that have been passed down from parent to child over the centuries are sung.

Every August, the town holds its Wine Fair during which a procession is held through the town in commemoration of the German nobleman John Defuk who died on his way to Rome after imbibing a good deal too much of the delicious “Est! Est!! Est!!! Moscatello di Montefiascone” wine.

Ascesion Day on 15th August is celebrated with a traditional nocturnal procession of boats and spectacular fireworks by the sea at Tarquinia Lido.

Canepina has an important Chestnut festival, held in October, during which a delicious variety of chestnut, the “marrone”, is celebrated.

At Christmas, in many villages suggestive living cribs are performed: Bassano in Teverina, Civita di Bagnoregio, Corchiano and, above all, Vetralla.

Spa

The area of Bulicame, in Viterbo, is famous for its natural thermal springs, used for various treatments: mud baths, aerosol, inhalation techniques, natural warm caves and anti-stress treatments. Two renowned spas centres are the "Terme dei Papi" and the "Pianeta Benessere", providing excellent accommodation and meeting facilities.