Overview

Depart from Rome and reach the enchanting lake of Bolsena, visiting the next surroundings. Bolsena is also known for the miracle of Corpus Domini, linked to the Eucharistic prodigy that took place in 1263, when a priest, while celebrating mass at the tomb of St. Cristina, saw drops of blood gushing from a consecrated host. The priest, doubtful about the dogma of transubstantiation had to change his mind and this miracle was the reason why Pope Urban IV in 1264 instituted the feast of Corpus Domini.
Montefiascone, a small village that, for its peculiar position on the very top of the Lake, was chosen as the defensive bulwark of the ecclesiastical kingdom.
Its Rocca dei Papi would tell you about the coin "Popolina" and when it was coined. What about the Cathedral of Santa Margherita? Its dome is among the largest in Italy with 27 meters diameter and 23 meters height (the first place belongs to St. Peter' dome). You will have time for lunch ( at your own expense ) during the day.

Description

Stop At: Bolsena, Bolsena

Bolsena is an enchanting and incredible village to visit. Known as the city of the Eucharistic Miracle, it is a center extremely tied to the Christian-Catholic religion, is located next to a beautiful lake

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Castello Rocca Monaldeschi, Piazza Monaldeschi, Bolsena 01023

The building dates back to the 13th-14th century, built by the inhabitants of Orvieto and partially destroyed by the population in 1815 to prevent it from falling into the hands of Luciano Bonaparte. It was then rebuilt in the forms we admire today. The upper floor is dedicated to the display of the rich archaeological documentation from the excavations of the Roman age. In the vault of the entrance hall, beautiful grotesques on a black and white background and panels with stories of Alexander the Great; on the walls, monochromes of great landscapes. In the adjoining room, on the vault, the "Convivio degli dei", on the walls scenes and figures in grisaille. On the main floor in the "Hall of Reviews", with coffered ceiling, monochrome frescoes that refer, like the others, to Pierin del Vaga and Pellegrino Tibaldi.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Basilica di Santa Cristina, Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 1A, 01023 Bolsena VT, Italy

the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Cristina dates back to the 11th century. and consecrated by Gregory VII in 1077, but it was transformed into the present structure, mostly, by the fifteenth-century intervention wanted by cardinal Giovanni de 'Medici. The church is however the result of a sum of works and structural interventions, some dating back to the pagan period. The oldest part is constituted by the primitive oratory, obtained from the cut of the catacomb galleries surrounding the tomb of the saint. It is the tuffaceous cave where the miracle occurred. In the 11th-12th century, the Collegiate Church was built and then, at the end of the 17th century, the chapel of the Miracle. (A visit to the burial of the Saint inside a catacomb is possible, ask at the moment of the reservation to check for availability. Tickets fee not included, to be bought on spot )

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Montefiascone, Montefiascone

It was chosen by the Popes Stephen IX and Gregory VII, besieged by Henry IV in 1093 but also strongly defended by the local counts. Montefiascone is a small village located higher in the territory of Bolsena Lake, known for its enchanting panorama of the basin.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cattedrale di Santa Margherita, Piazza Santa Margherita 1, Montefiascone 01027

A sanctuary of considerable historical and cultural interest which contains a great artistic treasure. The architectural structures of both the interior and exterior are an obvious advance of what is then found inside the Church. A real gem that cannot be missed.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rocca dei Papi, Piazzale Urbano V, Montefiascone 01027

The Rocca dei Papi di Montefiascone has represented a place of great prestige from a religious point of view for several years.

After being the residence of emperors and empresses, especially in the early years of its construction, the fortress became the chosen seat of several Popes, thanks to its proximity to the city of Viterbo which for a period was a papal city.
After being the protagonist of a series of works and interventions (the last really significant date back to the 16th century), the moment of decline began for the Rocca dei Papi, traces of which are still visible today.

Duration: 1 hour