The history of Bolsena is lost in the mists of time. Already in prehistoric times, there was a village of stilt houses whose remains were found in the waters of the lake... #tuttitaly
Bolsena rises on the slopes of the Volsini Mountains, in a panoramic position on the northeastern side of the volcanic basin of the same name.
Bolsena is a center strongly linked to agriculture and fishing. Over time, however, it has become an important tourist resort, frequented in all seasons both for the presence of the splendid lake and the peaceful atmosphere of the village.
History
Since ancient times, the enviable climatic conditions pushed a man to live in these lands.
In prehistoric times, there was a village of stilt houses along the coast, the remains of which have been found in the lake's waters.
In the late Villanovan period, small villages subordinated to nearby Velzna, today's Orvieto, developed.
When the Romans conquered Velzna in the 3rd century BC, the ancient center was practically abandoned, subsequently replaced by what would become the thriving Volsini Novi, located in a slightly elevated position compared to the current settlement of Bolsena. The remains of ancient urban streets and the ruins of numerous private houses and religious buildings remain.
With trade development on the Via Francigena, the city became the object of a fierce dispute between the Monaldeschi della Cervara family and the Church. Subsequently, starting from the second half of the 15th century, it passed to the inheritance of San Pietro.
To be seen
In the historic center of Bolsena stands the Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara, the first records of which date back to 1156. The fortress houses the Territorial Museum of Lake Bolsena.
Noteworthy is the Baroque Chapel of the Miracle (1639). The miracle refers to the wafer, which in 1263-1264 caused a notable quantity of blood to flow. After seeing the traces of the gift, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of Corpus Domini.
The Basilica of Santa Cristina (11th century) preserves works by Benedetto Buglioni and a chapel frescoed in 1498 by Giovanni de' Ferraris from Mondovì.
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