Lake Bracciano, which is of volcanic origin, is situated near Rome and surrounded by three villages: Anguillara, Bracciano and Trevignano.
Due to the purification plants and frequent inspection to check pollution its water is so clean that it serves as an emergency reservoir for Rome, and offers the ideal frame for relaxing walks and days dedicated to sport.
Before the lake was called “Sabatino” due to its closeness to the old city of Sabate, situated under the present-day Trevignano.
In the memory of that city Anguillara took its name “Sabazia”.

Rutilia Polla, a Roman noble, built a country house in Anguillara on the promontory which overlooks the lake and forms an angle on the water; The village takes its name from that country-house, called “Angularia” and not from the eels (anguille) that live in the lake.

Although some excavations have revealed that Bracciano was once inhabited by Etruscans, the most interesting feature of the town today is the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, a fortified building originally used as a prefect*, which was extended by Napoleone Orsini in 1475; over the centuries it was handed down to the Odescalchi and then to the Torlonia, to then be returned for good to the Odescalchi who are still the owners today.

Trevignano was built on the ashes of the Etruscan Sabate, whose remains slid into the lake. The Etruscan museum, in the town hall, looks after the precious findings of the Olivetello necropolis. The striking evidence of a medieval stronghold are the remains of the Orsini fortress that rise up from the tip of a high rock. The old town and its walls surround the old fortress.

Galeria,the Dead City, lies on the banks of the river Arrrone, a short distance from the village of S. Maria di Galeria. Also of Etruscan origin, it passed through different hands over the centuries and was victim of unstoppable decay. It was subjected to invasions and destruction until malaria in 1700s struck the Roman Agro marking its end.
Among the ruins there is interesting vegetation that houses various animal species; the waters of the Arrone , that has some falls near the city, is home for numerous kinds of fish. In 1990, Galeria was declared a Natural Monument of the Latium Region due to its nature attractions.


A journey across the beautiful area of Viterbo has to include a walk in t nature reserve on the edge of lake Vico. The lake is a result of the sinking of a volcano 700,000 years ago and now covers an area of 12 sq. km. more than 500 metres above sea level. Foxes, weasels, marmots, dormice and wild cats live amongst the chestnut trees, oaks and rich undergrowth.


The lake can be reached passing through Sutri, a city of ancient origin. The amphitheatre entirely dug out of the tuff (1st century A.C.) and the Mitreo (3rd century), dedicated to the oriental worship of the Mitra God are remarkable.
Situated n the Frangicena way, Sutri reached its popularity peak in the medieval when it became an set passage for pilgrims on their way from Northern Europe to Rome.

Caprarola, also in the lake area, is worth a visit due to its Italian Gardens and fountains in the Farnese Palace above the 14th century town.

Viterbo lies on the slopes of the Cimini Mounts. The rocky necropolis of Castel ‘Asso, not far from the city, shows evident traces of Etruscans as the first inhabitants of this area. The settlement was destroyed by the Romans in 310 BC during the conquering of Tuscia, but the city went through a flourishing revival due to the nearness of the Cassia Road which developed along with the Roman Conquests.
Medieval invasions and the long Longobard rule caused the union of various villages inside a single city wall in the second half of the 1700s.
The most important building in the city is the Papal Palace. Its Gothic style goes back to the second half of the 1300s; it was the seat of numerous conclaves, among which that of 1271 which is remembered as the longest one in church history and ended with the election of Gregory X after 33 months of holiday for the papal seat.

Bomarzo and its Sacred Wood can be found at 20 kms from Viterbo, it is better known as ‘the Monsters’ Park’. The eccentric Prince Vicino Orsini commissioned it in the second half of the 1500s. In the setting of a natural amphitheatre, one finds grotesque, frightening figures carved out of blocks of peperino scattered throughout the park, that arouse a mixed feeling of curiosity and awe in visitors to the park. The thick vegetation is an ideal backcloth for scenery that is full of mystery, revealing here and there fantastic, mythical and even merciless creatures and also peculiar buildings such as the ‘Hanging House’ the Ogre (foto) and the temple in memory of Giulia Farnese, which Orsini had built on the death of his wife.
When the prince died the park sank into oblivion until 1954 when Giovanni Bettini bought it and started renovating it, returning a work of great value to our region.

This brief journey through our territory ends with a glance at Lake Bolsena, which boasts the European record for the size of volcanic lakes.
The area has been inhabited since the early iron-age, proved by the presence of the remains of a village under its waters. In the pre Etruscan age Bisenzio stood there, later on the Etruscan Vesna thrived there and then became the Latin Volsinii and the present day Bolsena.
The two islands Martana and Bisentina emerge from its waters, the latter can be visited by boat from Capodimonte.