Lake Bolsena
The largest volcanic lake in Europe and the fifth largest lake in Italy, Lago di Bolsena covers 114 km sq, has a circumference of 43km and is 151m at its deepest. It was formed about 370,000 years ago when the volcano erupted so powerfully that the caldera collapsed into a deep bowl, which then gradually filled with water. Nowadays, it has a much calmer, relaxed feel to it! It is renowned as one of the cleanest lakes, even sometimes being referred to as the ‘the lake you can drink’; whilst we wouldn’t recommend this, the water is beautifully clear.
Nearby villages
Montefiascone sits at the highest point of the volcanic ridge that encircles the lake. On clear days, there are far reaching views over the lake towards the sea and, in the other direction, the Umbrian hills. The town’s cathedral has a majestic eight-sided dome, which is the third largest in Italy (after St Peter’s in Rome and Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence). Below the town are the vineyards that produce the famous , Est!Est!!Est!!! wine, of which the town is justifiably proud.
On the southern banks, Capodimonte occupies a picturesque setting on a peninsula that juts out into the lake. It is dominated by the imposing 16th century Rocca Farnese, an impressive walled castle. There is a beach here, and a harbour from where you can hire boats or take a boat trip on the lake. Just up the road is the typical fishing village of Marta where there is also a pleasant natural beach and some good fish restaurants.
Set back from the western shore, Valentano is a typical medieval town with buildings made of tufo, the local volcanic rock. There are some particularly beautiful views over the lake whilst driving from Valentano towards Laterna and Gradoli. In Gradoli, you could stop at the Palazzo Farnese, with its museum of costumes, or at one of the surrounding vineyards and olive groves which produce excellent wines and olive oil.
Nature reserve
Just to the north of the lake you can find the Monte Rufeno nature reserve, a protected park covering 3,000 hectares of beautiful countryside. Almost devoid of dwellings, it is a haven for birds and other wildlife with its varied habitats of woodland, rivers, cork forest, fields and gentle hills. You can go mountain bike riding, horse riding or walking in the park, and of course bird watching. There is a small nature museum near Torre Alfina where you can learn about the flora and fauna of the park.
Festivals
Bolsena holds a number of festivals, including ‘Corpus Domini Le Infiorate’ in June, where the streets are covered in a carpet of flowers arranged into decorative scenes. In July, the two-day festival known as ‘Misteri di Santa Cristina’ honours the patron saint of Bolsena. There is also music at the feast of S.Rocco, in August, along with games and tastings of local products and dishes.
Just a few of the festivals hosted by the surrounding villages include in a two-week wine festival in Montefiascone, a donkey race in the piazza at Bagnoregio, and the ‘Barabbata’ earth fertility festival in Marta, beginning with a procession of floats and ending with music, dancing and fireworks in the evening
