CULTURAL EXCURSIONS
You cannot stay in Bolsena without making trips to the surrounding areas. Its location allows you to take day trips to the provinces of Viterbo, Siena, Perugia, Terni, as well as, obviously, the cities of Rome and Florence.
Just 20 km. away is Orvieto and its Cathedral; an incomparable and unique jewel of Gothic art, the Well of St. Patrizio, the Etruscan Necropolis, and a number of Museums. A short distance away you will also find the towns of Todi, Deruta, Assisi and Gubbio. On the way to Terni you can easily visit Narni, Spoleto and Foligno.
Crossing the Tuscan border, just past Acquapendente, you can visit the towns of Val d’Orcia, S. Quirico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza and finally Siena.
The visit to Civita di Bagnoregio (10 km from Bolsena) is very suggestive with its medieval town and the extraordinary view of the “calanchi” (eroded cliffs).
Of great interest in Montefiascone (10 km from our farm) are the Romanesque church of St. Flaviano and the church of St. Margherita that overlooks the city.
From Montefiascone you can reach Viterbo, capital of the province, where you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the medieval district, the Sanctuary of St. Rosa, and the Papal Museums and Palace – a splendid building and symbol of the city which hosted the first and longest conclave (election process for choosing the pope) in the history of the Catholic Church.
Near Viterbo are the world-famous princely residences of Bagnaia and Caprarola; magnificent abodes built in the second half of the 16th century by the era’s most important architects to glorify the power of families such as the Orsini and the Farnese. In the direction of La Quercia you will find the Sanctuary of the “Madonna di La Quercia”, built by Giuliano and Anthony Sangallo, whose renaissance façade has three portals that house three lunettes of Andrea della Robbia (1507). Also worthy of mention are the Park of the Monsters of Bomarzo, stone sculptures made at the end of the XVI century by Vicino Orsini, the Doria Pamphilj Palace in St. Martino al Cimino, the ancient town of Vitorchiano.
Of particular interest amongst the many cultural events offered is the summer season of Ferento’s Roman Theatre.
For those who want to enjoy the health and relaxation offered by thermal waters there are the natural spas of Viterbo, San Casciano dei Bagni, Bagno Vignoni and Saturnia just a few minutes by car from the farm.
There are numerous wine and gastronomic initiatives throughout the province of Viterbo including the Est!Est!!Est!!! winery, the Falesco and Aleatico vineyards and above all extra-virgin olive oil.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCURSIONS
The Etruscan part of Viterbo is rich with ruins of the past. The Necropolis and the National Etruscan Museum in Tarquinia, the Necropolis and Romanesque Churches of San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore 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 Abbey in Vulci. Worth mentioning is the recent reopening of the archaeological and nature park of Vulci; 130 hectares (about 320 acres) of Etruscan and Roman ruins and protected species located between Montalto of Castro and Canino, very near a World Wildlife Fund Oasis. Also in Tuscany is the Necropolis of Sovana, important for the grave of Ildebrando.