By Gabriele Di Donfrancesco | December 9 The village of Anguillara Sabazia on Lake Bracciano The oldest relics discovered in the area date back 8,000 years Francesco Falconi stood at the edge of Lake Bracciano a volcanic depression filled with crystalline water and surrounded by bucolic wooded hills and ancient Italian villages “This is where I used to dive into the lake,” Falconi a lawyer who grew up in one of those villages pointing to a rock on the lake’s periphery and you would probably wake up in the nearest emergency room In 2017, Lake Bracciano, a basin of around 22 square miles, faced an existential crisis. It started to dry up as a local utility, the Acea Group, diverted its waters to quench the thirst of the Italian capital during a severe drought Residents of the surrounding villages were able to stop the water company from draining the lake they are bringing the company to court for environmental crimes The trial could set a precedent throughout Europe by creating more public awareness about environmental crimes that involve water use and drainage It could inspire other small communities to fight to safeguard their natural havens and force big cities to find new solutions to deal with their water needs and terrible water management are creating a recurring state of crisis Lake Bracciano serves as an emergency water reservoir for Rome The city meets two-thirds of all its water needs by tapping into the Peschiera springs at the base of Mount Nuria These founts are very resilient to occasional droughts Other sources are smaller and dry up faster are steadily declining due to climate change Gabriele Di Donfrancesco is an Italian freelance journalist based in Rome. His work has also been published in La Repubblica, Euronews,... Read More the elevation of the water surface of Lake Bracciano fell by five feet as Acea kept tapping into the basin It is normal for the surface of the lake to fluctuate between a height of 535 and 538 feet above sea level but five feet over 22 square miles adds up to a lot of water; the loss was enough to disrupt nearly everything around the lake Stairs had to be built for people to disembark because of the shallow waters And even after Acea stopped collecting water The water surface fell by six-and-a-half feet in total The sight of the shoal between the lake’s normal shore and its new shrunken state was ominously reminiscent of the Aral Sea the enormous lake lying between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan which almost disappeared due to the deadly combination of increased human thirst and climate change “The lake never goes down [below] a certain threshold,” Graziarosa Villani says Villani is the president of the committee of local citizens that managed to save Lake Bracciano thanks to the quick mobilization of scientists and lawyers The group pressured the regional government but the “Cassazione,” the highest Italian court the people of Lake Bracciano were up against two giants: Acea the local private company providing water to the region in a de-facto monopoly situation Acea could draw from Lake Bracciano as long as the water surface did not drop under a certain level to ensure that the basin did not enter a dangerous downward spiral “But Acea did not stop there and went even further,” Villani says “Who knows what would have happened without our intervention?” Villani was represented in court by Falconi a historic village of 19,000 perched on a hill that slopes gently into the lake Falconi now represents Villani and her group in a second trial born out of the first complaint private citizens can file a complaint with the authorities to start a criminal investigation that might lead to a criminal trial deputy public prosecutor Delio Spagnolo is charging the chairman of Acea's board with causing an “environmental disaster” by negligently collecting more water than permitted the public institutions would not have started any investigations by themselves,” Falconi explains “environmental disaster” is a type of crime that applies to individuals or companies that cause an irreversible or conspicuous alteration in the balance of a protected ecosystem It carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years and pecuniary sanctions in Europe—that a company has been sued not for polluting the waters Winning the case could set an important precedent It would show how communities can find a way to reinforce water protection policies to keep their basins healthy for future generations Climate change will make what happened to Lake Bracciano a more common problem in Europe Lake Bracciano has a peculiar status under EU and Italian law Along with the nearby smaller Lake Martignano It is also a special protection area and a special area of conservation according to EU environmental directives It falls into a network of protected European sites called Natura 2000 The EU directives and the Italian law all acknowledge the need to keep water bodies “in good health.” This concept involves respecting their “ecological flow.” The water level should be high enough to ensure biological life can continue But the EU cannot inspect water bodies and leaves the onus of environmental monitoring to its member states Though Lake Bracciano is a Natura 2000 site the EU is not able to directly help protect or defend it Acea was once a municipal company but has since gone public and is now only partially owned by the municipality of Rome the company also operates in the energy and waste management sector The board of the company now includes representatives of companies like Suez Acea runs contracts in other parts of the world as well Acea did a great job cleaning the lake from the sewage of nearby towns,” Falconi admits the company that contributed to keeping Lake Bracciano clean has almost destroyed it Even though the local community acted quickly an ecologist who testified in court about Acea’s alleged wrongdoing says Lake Bracciano has irreversibly lost part of its rich ecosystem but it would be to a different equilibrium Other species will take over the ecological void left by the aquatic plants and algae that naturally filtered the lake Since these species can only survive at certain water heights they were virtually destroyed when their delicate habitats disappeared with the water but it got severely damaged,” Azzella says The last decade has been hard on Lake Bracciano This type of volcanic basin depends on rainwater Its water levels had remained stable over the years “That is why the company should have protected the resource and not wasted it,” Azzella says Acea loses large percentages of the water it collects and distributes through leaks in its distribution network it leaked up to 45 percent of all the water in the province of Rome No third party or regional authority has ever checked the accuracy of the figures released by Acea The people of Lake Bracciano argue that repairing the leaks alone could solve the recurrent water crisis and ease the pressure on the regional water sources “You cannot think anymore that there will always be new water and the lake has not recovered,” Azzella says the lake is still three feet lower than its past healthy average “It might never revert to its previous equilibrium,” explains Giampietro Casasanta a researcher at the Italian National Research Council and a resident of Anguillara Casasanta says his research shows that such a sudden water loss from the lake would not have occurred due to natural climatic and weather fluctuations alone data about water levels is often publicly available the docks of Lake Bracciano have physical water scales Historical data about precipitation are uploaded online as part of a grid of rain gauges connected to the SCIA the National System for the Elaboration and Diffusion of Climate Data Acea knew that the basin was suffering from the effects of climate change; after all it had released public documents in the months before the crisis showing those effects But after the water levels of Lake Bracciano became a public controversy even accusing the owners of gardens and structures along the shoreline of causing the crisis by “stealing” water the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security is the only institution allowed to ask Acea for compensation This new trial could result in a fine for breaking environmental law but it would not formally constitute compensation for the environmental damage The Italian legal system is extremely slow The Acea criminal trial is predicted to last several years and in November it entered the hearing stage with both parties presenting scientific evidence The company is expected to trivialize the damage done to the ecosystem in an attempt to reduce its liability the community of Lake Bracciano feels that science is on its side Community members hope their work will inspire other communities in Europe to follow their steps in defending local waters it will have enormous consequences,” Falconi says “It will set the legal precedent for other communities to fight.” Editor's note: This article was developed with the support of Journalismfund Europe The Bulletin elevates expert voices above the noise. But as an independent nonprofit organization, our operations depend on the support of readers like you. Help us continue to deliver quality journalism that holds leaders accountable. Your support of our work at any level is important we promise our coverage will be understandable Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" I’m curious about how much water goes to waste in Rome due to over 2,500 public water spigots (nasoni) than spout water 24/7/365 Surely they could be retrofitted with faucets to only provide water solely on demand Copyright © 2025 Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. All rights reserved. Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 36-2136497 Terms of UsePrivacy Policy There have been around a hundred interventions by the fire brigade since midnight due to dangerous branches A new storm hit Rome and its province last night About one hundred interventions were carried out by the local police in the capital city especially in the eastern quadrant of Rome among the areas most affected by the bad weather there was a reduction in the carriageway on Via del Foro Italico between Via dei Campi Sportivo and Via Salaria due to a fallen tree in the direction of San Giovanni with officers from the Parioli group on site for traffic services Via dell'Appia Pignatelli was also closed from Vicolo della Basilica to Via Appia Antica due to a tree that fell onto the carriageway Another tree fell during the night on Via Appia Nuova There were about a hundred interventions by the fire brigade in Rome and the province starting from midnight for dangerous trees and branches The areas most affected within the capital were in via della Batteria di Porta Furba interventions are still underway to clear the streets of fallen trees in Albano Laziale Two more trees fell last night in the Municipality of Anguillara Sabazia in viale Belloni and at kilometer 25 of via Braccianese the Carabinieri of the Bracciano company and the Civil Protection operators intervened Road traffic was suspended in both streets The military took care of traffic management while the Civil Protection intervened to remove the trees At the moment there are no injuries reported Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) people navigated the Mediterranean Sea using technologically sophisticated boats 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Juan F Gibaja of the Spanish National Research Council Many of the most important civilizations in Europe originated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea communities clearly traveled and traded across the water as evidenced by watercraft in the archeological record and the presence of settlements on coasts and islands Gibaja and colleagues provide new insights into the history of seafaring technology through analysis of canoes at the Neolithic lakeshore village of La Marmotta Excavation at this site has recovered five canoes built from hollowed-out trees (dugout canoes) dating between 5700-5100BC Analysis of these boats reveals that they are built from four different types of wood and that they include advanced construction techniques such as transverse reinforcements One canoe is also associated with three T-shaped wooden objects each with a series of holes that were likely used to fasten ropes tied to sails or other nautical elements along with previous reconstruction experiments a conclusion supported by the presence at the site of stone tools linked to nearby islands The authors describe these canoes as exceptional examples of prehistoric boats whose construction required a detailed understanding of structural design and wood properties in addition to well-organized specialized labor Similarities between these canoes and more recent nautical technologies support the idea that many major advances in sailing were made during the early Neolithic The authors suggest there may be more boats preserved near La Marmotta The authors add: “Direct dating of Neolithic canoes from La Marmotta reveals them to be the oldest in the Mediterranean offering invaluable insights into Neolithic navigation This study reveals the amazing technological sophistication of early agricultural and pastoral communities highlighting their woodworking skills and the construction of complex vessels.” In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299765 Citation: Gibaja JF, Mineo M, Santos FJ, Morell B, Caruso-Fermé L, Remolins G, et al. (2024) The first Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean: The settlement of La Marmotta (Anguillara Sabazia, Lazio, Italy). PLoS ONE 19(3): e0299765. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299765 Funding: The research has been carried out in the collaboration agreement between the Museo delle Civiltà and the Spanish Scientific Research Council (centres in Barcelona IMF-CSIC and Rome EEHAR-CSIC) and the National Accelerators Centre (CNA) in Seville Several projects have resulted from this collaboration funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and State Research Agency of Spain and Ministry for University and Research of Italy: PID2020-112513RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 PICT-2015-2541 and Rita Levi Montalcini project ‘AGER’ 10.1371/journal.pone.0299765 The first Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean: The settlement of La Marmotta (Anguillara Sabazia The authors have declared that no competing interests exist are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system Copyright © 2025 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Valerie Fortney-Schneider returned to her roots in the southern Italy region of Basilicata central Italy also has an unsung lakes district that is easily accessible and well worth exploring The three lakes may not have the dramatic alpine backdrop of the northern ones but they do have a placid ambiance and splendor all of their own Lake Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake in Italy It’s laced with waterfront towns and castles surrounded by sunflower fields and farmland Three islands shimmer alluringly in the water and ferries will take you to two of them for lunch or exploring To the south in the Lazio region is Lake Bolsena an elliptical crater that is the largest volcanic lake in Europe A trio of towns sits on the shore and most of the waterfront is undeveloped The medieval town of Bolsena preserves its antique atmosphere above the lake another volcanic-formed gem to the south of Lake Bolsena While Lake Trasimeno can seem brooding and Lake Bolsena a tad sedate Lake Bracciano embodies the best lake experience to me It also offers year-round livability as well as affordability with a milder climate than the northern lakes Lake Bracciano is just an hour from Rome but is a tranquil world away The only motors allowed are those of the ferries that connect the three lakeside towns This ensures not only a peaceful ambiance but a safer environment for kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders who don’t have to contend with jet skis or motor boats but ferries ply the water among the three towns An evening out could be a boat trip to Trevignano Romano for sunset drinks and dinner or a train ride into Rome for a meal and a show Frequent rail and bus connections whisk you to Rome in an hour for all the cultural events and offerings of the capital city whenever you might like Lakeside promenades are dotted with shady plane trees with some cafes strung about to enjoy a drink with a water view Three towns grace the shore of Lake Bracciano On the south side of the lake are Bracciano and Anguillara Sabazia while on the north side is teensy Trevignano Romano Bracciano with its imposing 15th century castle sits above the lake and has a bustling feel The town keeps a pleasant time-worn appeal and the Odescalchi Castle frequently draws celebrity guests and weddings (Tom Cruise was married here) especially from the upper Belvedere della Sentinella It takes a bit more effort to enjoy the lake but there is more than a mile of expansive beach and easy access to water sports here or just grab an umbrella and chair and lounge with a book it is a pleasant small city with the train station right in town Anguillara Sabazia is a stunning sight sitting on its lakeside promontory The old town streets meander from the quay up the hillside providing a pleasant ascent to the castle ramparts amidst flower-box studded stone streets while to the right the medieval gateway still beckons into the streets of the old town popular with commuting Romans who live near the Anguillara train station but come into town for lake fun on the weekends Anguillara is big enough to provide all the daily services and amusements you need while retaining a small town feel and appeal with a sense of community Lakeside restaurants and cafes are perfect for lingering and enjoying the sunshine but old town eateries attract locals out for a pizza or a traditional trattoria meal at affordable prices You can still enjoy a pizza and a beer for less than $12 here Life here is about a sane pace and simple pleasures with a jaunt to the city whenever you want something more and walkers take to the country paths of the protected regional nature park right at the town’s doorstep The tiny undeveloped Lake Martignano attracts those in the know for a swim and trails lead off into the green-covered hills Lake Bracciano doesn’t just boast proximity to Rome It’s also less than an hour from the Mediterranean Sea the ancient Etruscan land where timeless places like Sutria and Viterbo (and many more) offer endless exploration opportunities while the northern lakes are surrounded by alpine peaks the central lakes are ensconced amidst the rolling hills and classic hill towns we all love about Italy It’s a wonder this central lakes district isn’t more popular but its lack of crowds makes it all the more appealing An Insider’s Guide: Best Things to Do in Tuscany 3 Reasons Why Abruzzo, Italy is a Must-See Destination Fun and Interesting Facts About Italy White clouds torn by a blue sky are reflected in the still water of Lake Bracciano I feel like I've ended up in the palette of an impressionist painter almost as if it doesn't want to disturb the arrival of migratory birds a picture-postcard promontory dominated by the collegiate church the setting sun lights up the outline of the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle of Bracciano I never tire of this oasis of nature and tranquility In all seasons there is always something new to experience a new perspective that sparks curiosity and encourages you to return the second largest basin in Lazio after Bolsena a depression formed three hundred thousand years ago following the collapse of the magma chamber that fed the Sabatino volcanic district There is no point in looking for an inflowing river on the map which were already channeled towards Rome in the first century AD Let's see how to experience Lake Bracciano in a camper It is the main town on the lake and the only one to rise in an elevated position, on the hills surrounding the basin. The origins of Bracciano date back to Roman times but it was in the Middle Ages that the village developed thanks to the influence of the Orsini family has pleasant corners; and there is no shortage of elegant cafes where you can sit outside with the Town Hall and the eighteenth-century fountain often occupied by markets selling objects and typical products take Via della Collegiata: immediately on the left is the church and convent of Santa Maria Novella today the Civic Museum and the historical archive go up to the cathedral dedicated to Santo Stefano whose current appearance is from the seventeenth century With its imposing mass the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle It is one of the most suggestive and interesting destinations of Lake Bracciano Its history is linked to the Orsini family who had it built around 1475 and lived there until the XNUMXth century It was then purchased by the Odescalchi family plan on an hour or even more if you want to visit the various rooms calmly The tour takes you through the noble apartment a jewel of Renaissance architecture; then you go up outside to the panoramic tower and the patrol walkways It is not surprising that numerous international celebrities have chosen it as the location for their weddings: the manor is in an excellent state of conservation the views towards the lake truly unparalleled nestled on a promontory overlooking the lake It is worth walking through them until you reach the façade of the church of Santa Maria dell'Assunta built in the 17th century in a dominant position over the village Continuing your walk you will come across the city walls that enclosed the 15th century tower From here you go down towards the imposing Palazzo Baronale Orsini the elegant seat of the Municipality: even without entering you can glimpse the frescoes that decorate the ceilings of the rooms From here it is a few minutes' walk to the lakeside a tourist boat takes about two hours to tour the basin with stops at Trevignano Romano and on the lakeside of Bracciano The shores of Lake Bracciano offer the opportunity to visit the Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force one of the most important exhibitions of its kind in the world Inaugurated in 1977 and completely renovated on the occasion of the centenary of the foundation of the Italian Air Force the visit route winds through four enormous hangars that house a vast collection of aircraft It ranges from aircraft in use during the First World War to modern examples And there is no shortage of extraordinary pieces such as a Garnerin hot air balloon and one of the first airships of the Italian army I recommend taking the tour with one of the museum guides who are generous in revealing news and details on the history of aviation offering the opportunity to retrace more than a century of history of world conflicts there is also a large parking lot suitable for campers The influence of the Orsini family is also tangible here. The fortress is linked to their name, which can be reached on foot with a walk (the last stretch is on a path) that also touches the parish church of the Assunta.But the first thing you have to do when arriving at Trevignano Romano is relaxing on the lakeside stopping in one of the many bars and stopping at the stalls of the Sunday market in Piazzale del Molo Then take your time exploring the historic center a well-kept gem just a few steps from the water The reference point is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele with a nice café where you can sit in the shade of the ancient Clock Tower cross the threshold of the Town Hall: the ground floor houses the Civic Archaeological Museum Various finds are exhibited here – including cinerary urns painted vases and jewels – from the Etruscan necropolis of Trevignano which would prove the existence of a Roman Etruscan centre believed by some to be the ancient Sabatia It is one of the most important nature reserves of Lazio, and among those that can boast the greatest biodiversity. Established in 1999, the Bracciano Martignano Regional Natural Park protects a very large area spanning three provinces and ten municipalities It goes from the shores of Lake Bracciano to the beech forestof Oriolo From the small Lake of Martignano to the forest of Macchia Grande and the Caldara of Manziana From the 160 meters of altitude of the largest basin to over 600 of Mount Rocca Romana This corresponds to a very diversified vegetation - from broadleaf forests to wetlands passing through Mediterranean scrub - and a great variety of species present also thanks to the ban on the use of motor boats are a refuge of primary importance for migratory birds Among the most common species we find herons There are two railway stations near Lake Bracciano located along one of the two lines that connect Rome to Viterbo The Bracciano train station is located a few steps from the town center The line makes various urban stops including Valle Aurelia (connection with metro line A) Trastevere (useful stop for the Trastevere district) and Ostiense (metro line B) ________________________________________________________ weekends and travel diaries on the digital magazine from smartphone For the registered with the PLEINAIRCLUB Access to the digital magazine is included With thesubscription to PleinAir (11 print issues) receive the magazine and special inserts comfortably at home and save Search other results... 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Christmas Song Aims to Inspire Peace in the Holy Land Pope’s Message of Hope Launched into Space to Orbit Earth Here is Pope Francis’ Schedule for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon Marian Apparitions Must Always Point to Jesus Bishop Romano Rossi of Civita Castellana speaks to a reporter July 31 The bishop said that though he has not yet set up a formal commission to evaluate the credibility of Marian apparitions to Gisella Cardia he is following the alleged supernatural messages and evaluating both their content and spirit By Carol Glatz • Catholic News Service • Posted August 7 VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church has always been very cautious when it comes to judging reported Marian apparitions More than 1,500 visions of Mary have been reported around the world but in the past century fewer than a dozen cases have received church approval as being worthy of belief Determining the veracity of an apparition is an enormous job that falls to the local bishop The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith established a set of norms in 1978 to help bishops and guide them in the process of discernment and investigation of reported apparitions and revelations a series of Marian apparitions in the Diocese of Green Bay received approval in 2010 — 151 years after the first apparition was reported in 1859 But that’s just half of the nearly 300 years it took the church to approve the apparitions of Our Lady of Laus in France The process is lengthy because visionaries and witnesses must be questioned and the fruits of the apparitions the local bishop should set up a commission of experts moral and spiritual integrity and seriousness of the visionary and whether the message and testimony are free from theological and doctrinal error The longer the alleged apparitions last and the more popular an apparition site becomes the more evidence accumulates — and the longer it takes the church to reach a judgment When the bishop’s investigation is complete he can come to one of three conclusions: he can determine the apparition to be true and worthy of belief; he can say it is not true which leaves open the possibility for an appeal; or he can say that at the moment he doesn’t know and needs more help the investigation is taken to the national bishops’ conference If the body of bishops cannot reach a conclusion who delegates the doctrinal congregation to step in and either give advice send a commissioner and-or set up a commission to investigate the bishop remains in charge of the process An example of a situation in which the country’s bishops requested the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation to intervene is the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina The congregation established an international commission in 2010 to investigate the claims of six young people who said Mary appeared to them daily beginning in 1981 and hundreds of thousands of people travel to the small town each year The church’s approach has been to distinguish between an apparition and the spiritual consequences among the faithful That means that in places where an apparition is still awaiting church approval people can go to the site to pray and receive spiritual gifts as long as they do not presume the apparition is authentic The church approaches each claim with the utmost prudence with rigorous investigation and with the invitation to live out the Gospel rather than follow the apparitions the church never requires the faithful to believe in the Marian apparitions because it teaches that public revelation ended with the New Testament and that no private revelation will add anything essential to the faith The apparitions and messages are never the same Mary appeals for people’s conversion and seeks to assure men and women that they are not alone in the world and can depend on God’s loving mercy Her appearance is never meant to result in her glorification CatholicPhilly.com works to strengthen the connections between people families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40 Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source USCCB: Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings Pope Francis’ May 2023 Prayer Intention | Watch Video Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Returns to Roots Dan Tarrant Brings God to the World Through Catholic Filmmaking Its construction dates back to the late 15th century but over the centuries the castle has long been the subject of fierce disputes between the most important Roman families Today it is a popular venue for important events but above all it is a year-round museum that tells the story of these lands through an important collection of ancient weapons not to mention the sumptuous decorations and frescoes that dot the entire palace From the top of the hill on which it is perched it dominates the entire area and offers enchanting views in which the deep blue of the volcanic lake blends with the green of the woods is a real jewel of medieval architecture that winds all around the magnificent Orsini-Odescalchi castle Here is a veritable maze of narrow streets surrounded by ancient houses built of lava stone that offer the visitor enchanting views Also deserving special attention are the 13th-century Cathedral of Santo Stefano an old defensive bastion now an evocative terrace overlooking the lake One of the most picturesque places on all of Lake Bracciano is definitely Anguillara Sabazia This ancient fishing village is perhaps less well known than neighboring Bracciano but it offers equally picturesque views and vistas all set in a relaxed atmosphere where you can best enjoy what these lands have to offer In Anguillara Sabazia there are several beaches where one can find refreshment away from the crowds but it is above all the historic center that enraptures visitors’ hearts It is a splendid agglomeration of Romanesque-style architecture including the 16th-century gate and the medieval keep that houses the Museum of Rural Civilization and Popular Culture is the 18th-century collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta while there are numerous archaeological sites around the town including the Neolithic village found at La Marmotta the church of Santa Maria Maggiore is believed to have been built on the site of an earlier Etruscan temple the present building was erected around the year 1000 and its vicissitudes have gone hand in hand with the history of Cerveteri The church was expanded in 1959 with the addition of a new part that grafts onto the ancient one The latter is a magnificent example of the Romanesque style although the façade presents a mixture of different styles since it has long been remodeled over the centuries Among the most important works preserved inside is the Comatesque-style flooring made by Tuscan artists in the 13th century which recently became part of the new Cerveteri and Tarquinia Archaeological Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the earliest examples of sites referable to the Etruscan civilization The Banditaccia necropolis is to date one of the largest in the ancient world the entire area is crossed by a burial route more than 2 kilometers long and its origins are traced from the 9th century B.C In its approximately 400 hectares of extension the Banditaccia necropolis preserves many thousands of burials although the fenced-in part that can be visited today covers about 10 hectares and has 400 mounds onward large mounds with burial chambers dug in the tufa and decorated with motifs inspired by the forms of domestic architecture developed imposing funerary monuments such as the famous Tomb of the Reliefs are from later centuries It is located inside the impressive 14th-century Ruspoli Castle and is considered one of the most important places to discover the secrets of Etruscan civilization. The Cerite National Museum houses many artifacts that have come to light from excavations in the area of the ancient city and one can take a real journey back in time admiring grave goods found in the Sorbo necropolis and then more vases ceramics and urns dated between the 7th and 6th centuries BC The museum tour then ends with some objects from the Manganello temple and the Odescalchi collection which passed into the hands of the Silvestrine congregation in the 1940s has long hosted boys from war-torn families from all parts of Italy lodging and education; today its premises are a sought-after destination for conferences and events Palazzo Altieri is a shining example of 16th-century architecture and its events have followed step by step those of these lands Construction began at the behest of Giorgio III Santacroce whose family later passed ownership first to the Orsini and then to the Altieri Today it houses a museum divided into 14 rooms that showcase ancient paintings and precious collections such as those kept in the gallery of the Popes which includes portraits depicting successive popes in the history of the Church Also imposing and particularly impressive is the large park surrounding the palace which originally served as a hunting garden created by volcanic eruptions and housing several of Lazio’s most quaint lakeside towns you’re sure to find plenty of small-town charm lovely vistas and culinary delights around each one Lago di Bracciano The volcanic Lago di Bracciano is the eighth largest in Italy and is popular with locals and tourists alike for the beautiful towns that lie along its perimeter Bracciano the town is dominated by the medieval Castello Orsini-Odescalchi a fortified papal palace that is well-known for hosting the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Other charming villages that lie along the lake are Anguillara Sabazia with quaint cafés along the lakeside promenade numerous swans that flock to the banks of its river is a favorite with the alternative crowd for its relaxed vibe easygoing atmosphere and outdoor concerts in the summertime being overshadowed by the much larger Lago di Bracciano a few kilometers away bars and food stands that pop-up during the summer and is perfect for a sunny weekend picnic The Lago di Bolsena lies north of Rome close to Viterbo which was likely the location of an ancient Etruscan city The main towns that lie within proximity of the lake are Bolsena The imposing Montefiascone Cathedral is a site to behold and the region’s famous Est wine is produced here by the Falesco winery Capodimonte instead lies on a tiny peninsula that juts into the lake and has a sheltered harbor The tiny fishing village Marta is a colorful little spot that is also worth a visit Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy lying on the site of an ancient residence of Emperor Domitian best known for its wine festival that takes place each October with its famous porchetta and fraschette (typical village eateries) The Lago di Nemi is the jewel of Lazio. This lake is sometimes referred to as Diana’s Mirror because of a temple complex that honors this ancient goddess of the moon and hunt. It derives its name from Nemi a quaint town perched above the lake which is famed for its fragoline di bosco or wild strawberries; Nemi hosts a strawberry festival at the end of spring each year Nearby lies Genzano di Roma which is famed for its bread and hosts a magnificent flower festival that sees its main thoroughfare paved with an intricate flower carpet each June Livia Hengel is an Italian-American writer photographer and traveler with a penchant for la dolce vita and a severe case of wanderlust she spent her life living around the world in Peru Turkey and the US before moving back to her city of birth She is passionate about all things cultural stirring and beautiful and is happiest when she is contemplating human nature over a glass of wine or wandering off-the-beaten-path in a new city you can find Livia eating her way through the best restaurants in Rome or keeping up with Instagram Livia is the author of The HUNT Guide for Rome and also contributes to Spotted by Locals Art A Tour of Bernini's Masterpieces in Rome Guides & Tips A Guide to the 5 Most Dazzling Views in Catania See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best Hiking Trails in Italy US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden This large region contains too many places of interest to fit into one article so we’ve restricted this piece to the provinces of Viterbo and Rome in northern and western Lazio Here’s why they should be your next holiday destination The first reason to visit north and west Lazio is really four: the two large lakes of Bracciano and Bolsena and the two smaller lakes of Martignano and Vico Lago di Bracciano is surrounded by the towns of Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia, and Trevignano Romano, the first two of which can be reached from Rome by train for the price of a couple of cappuccinos. Pay a visit to Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano walk among the picturesque streets of Anguillara which spill down into the lake and eat fresh lake fish at one of the many restaurants along the tree-lined waterfront in Trevignano If you want to feel truly immersed in nature make a short trip to the neighbouring Lago di Martignano You’ll need to drive for several minutes along a bumpy dirt road and park your car a walk away from the lake itself but you’ll be rewarded with a truly peaceful setting Roughly midway between Bolsena and Bracciano is the smaller Lago di Vico which is situated in a nature reserve and is arguably the wildest of the four lakes Comfort-seekers can rent a sun lounger and dine at one of the bars and restaurants on the south side of the lake but more adventurous visitors can also explore the unspoilt wildlife around the rest of its perimeter where hazelnut groves abound and farmers bring herds of pigs and cattle down to the water to drink All the lakes are clean enough to swim in and (unlike many of Italy’s beaches) have plenty of undeveloped public shores where you can put down a towel and stay for free The beaches of Santa Severa and Santa Marinella READ ALSO: 13 places in Italy that look like they belong in a fairy tale The opulent house and gardens of Villa Farnese Not to be confused with Palazzo Farnese in central Rome where France's embassy to Italy is currently housed Villa Farnese (confusingly sometimes also called Palazzo Farnese) in Caprarola is a magnificent 16th-century villa with a unique pentagonal shape Admire the villa’s distinctive spiral staircase take a walk in its sumptuous rooms decorated in the Mannerist style which include 500-year-old world atlas frescoes and stroll among its vast decorative gardens which extend for several acres behind the villa itself READ ALSO: Italy's best-kept secrets: Ten must-see places a time when the Catholic Church was beset with conspiracies and intrigue Lazio’s second city after Rome and the refuge of numerous medieval pontiffs The city traces its origins back to the pre-Roman Etruscan civilisation but the buildings and streets in its historic centre date back to the 12th and 13th centuries when it rose to prominence as the “City of the Popes” and briefly became the seat of the papacy in 1257 Walk the scenic streets around the papal palace and take a guided underground tour of the Etruscan tunnels which were enlarged and repurposed as secret passageways in medieval times and later used as air raid shelters during World War II The province of Viterbo in northern Lazio is littered with natural hot springs, and few provide a more relaxing experience than Il Bagnaccio you can luxuriate in the warmth of geothermally-heated sulphur water in several rustic pools fashioned out of white clay Il Bagnaccio is open till late evening almost year-round stop by the award-winning Il Babbà pizzeria in the nearby town of Vetralla for some of the best pizza north of Naples A guide to northern Lazio would be incomplete without mention of Civita di Bagnoregio a tiny village nestled on top of a volcanic rock that rises abruptly out of the earth like an enchanted kingdom Romantically dubbed “the dying village” as its exposed tuff-rock sides are highly vulnerable to erosion and other natural forces the village was saved from extinction by outside investment and be prepared to share your visit with large crowds if you come during high season If you don’t have time for a leisurely cooked meal grab a sandwich made with fresh local produce and a scoop of chilled ricotta “ice-cream” with homemade toppings from the Arco del Gusto READ ALSO: Ten must-see places within reach of Rome another village balanced on the plateau of a rocky volcanic outcrop While its approach is not as picturesque as Bagnoregio’s with dwellings that seem carved out of the rock face itself perched perilously on its sheer sides Calcata underwent a revival as a new-age artists’ community in the 1960’s and while it may no longer be a hippie utopia you can still find an array of puppet-makers’ dens and dressmakers shops scattered throughout the village which serves homemade cake along with tens of varieties of tea offers spectacular views over the valley directly below The necropolis and waterfalls of Cerveteri Visitors wax moderately pleased about Cerveteri’s Cerite Museum a small repository of Etruscan history in the grounds of a former castle but they thrill at the nearby Banditaccia Necropolis whose other-worldly collection of large domed tombs bear a strong resemblance either to the Shire or to Tatooine depending on which universe you prefer to use as your reference point is an entire city built solely for the purpose of housing corpses It’s thought that wealthy Etruscans wanted to send their deceased relatives off into afterlife as they had lived in this one so built them their own town for the purpose Nature-lovers and adventurers should also seek out Cerveteri’s hidden waterfalls buried deep in a forest nearby the necropolis which starts at Cerveteri’s modern cemetery so bring plenty of food and water and budget several hours for the round trip Italy is peppered with hundreds of newly-abandoned villages following recent natural disasters but Antica Monterano has been a ghost town since the 1700s when it suffered a malaria outbreak and was later sacked by the French army span thousands of years of history and conjure a haunting atmosphere To find the site you’ll need to drive several miles down a small winding country road and park in a lot a ¼ mile walk away from the ruins themselves READ ALSO: Where to go in Italy in 2018: Ten travel ideas off the beaten path The surreal and dream-like garden of Bomarzo variously nicknamed the Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters) and Il Sacred Bosco (The Sacred Forest) was commissioned in the mid-1500s by the nobleman Pier Francesco Orsini Thought to be expression of grief following the death of Orsini’s beloved wife the garden’s erratic layout and monstrous statues with cryptic engravings are an outright rejection of Renaissance landscaping convention Neglected for several centuries after Orsini’s death it was restored to its former glory following its rediscovery by Salvador Dali and the Surrealists in the 1940s is best experienced on weekdays during term time or in poor weather when visitor numbers are at their lowest The city and commune of Acquapendente (“Hanging Water”) is located just outside the confines of the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve a wildlife sanctuary managed by the city which spans nearly 3000 hectares and nurtures over 1000 plant species Aquapendente's sites of interest include the village of Torre d’Alfina with its castle that dates back to the early middle ages but the most compelling reason to pay the area a visit is the Forest of Sasseto located at the north end of the Monte Rufeno reserve With its gnarled oaks and chestnuts and green ferns carpeting the forest floor it's little wonder that the forest is also known as Snow White's Wood and the Forest of the Fairies Seek out the neo-gothic mausoleum of former Torre d’Alfina Marquis Edoardo Cahen who owned the forest and restored the castle in the late 19th century It you want to see Italy through the eyes of the Romantics Despite being sacked by French forces in 1495 and hit by a major earthquake in 1971 this Etruscan and Medieval town nestled in the Marta River valley has survived intact to form part of a landscape with all the soft-focus dreaminess of a Lorrain painting Take in the sculpted Etruscan sarcophagi that line the town’s walkways visit the (free) archaeological museum and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore walk up a small slope to the famed San Pietro Church to look back over the town itself and finally return to eat at one of the trattorias on a piazza with views out over the valley’s gently rolling hills and San Pietro in the middle distance Tarquinia was known by the less elegant name of Corneto until 1922 when it rediscovered its Etruscan origins as Tarquinii It’s hard to find examples of undamaged Etruscan artwork but the painted tombs of the Monterozzi Necropolis contain an amazingly well-preserved series of frescoes in full colour The town is also home to a museum with some of the best Etruscan artifacts outside of Rome Its medieval centre provides a pleasant setting for a stroll and if you get tired of museums and culture you can head down to the lido a short distance away The Greeks and the Romans may have popularised the amphitheatre but they weren’t the only civilisations to make use of it Aside from being lovely ancient town well worth a visit in its own right Sutri contains a charmingly crumbling and overgrown Etruscan amphitheatre beside a series of tombs carved into its large volcanic rock its hill also conceals a hidden pagan chapel a “mithraeum” used as a place of worship by members of the ancient cult of Mithras and later converted into a Christian church this chapel burrowed deep into the rock contains elaborate columns and pews and if you hold up a light up to the walls you can see paintings that date back to the middle ages but your ticket comes with an inexpensive guided tour The ancient structures are all directly on the other side of a main country road across from the town of Sutri and the tombs are visible from the street so keep an eye out if you’re ever passing though by car Did we miss any of your favourite places to visit in northern and western Lazio Please log in here to leave a comment In season 5 of the classic television comedy Everybody Loves Raymond the Barone family matriarch Marie portrayed by actor Doris Roberts announces that she has tucked away enough money to take the entire family to Italy Her daughter-in-law Debra, played by actor Patricia Heaton But did Raymond actually fly the entire cast and crew to Europe to film the two episodes titled “Italy” executive producer and show creator Phil Rosenthal discovered that star Romano had never done any European travel “I said, ‘Ever been to Europe?’” Rosenthal recalled, according to The Hollywood Reporter ‘I’m not really interested in other cultures.’ Even his own culture (Italian) and Romano culled situations and incidents from their own marriages and families as material for the comedy From dealing with PMS in a marriage to the intrusiveness of in-laws When Romano told Rosenthal he wasn’t really a globetrotter the showrunner then seized on what he knew was a winner of an episode idea The cast and crew did indeed film on location in Europe The two-parter called “Italy” were the premiere episodes of the show’s fifth season and were filmed in July 2000 in the town of Anguillara Sabazia outside of Rome Rosenthal revealed that it took some persuasion on his part to get CBS to send everyone on the set overseas “We send [Ray Romano] over to Italy as Ray and he comes back as [Italian actor] Roberto Benigni — transformed by the food “After some convincing of CBS and a reluctant Raymond we filmed two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond in Rome.” For her part, show co-star Roberts was clearly fond of the Mediterranean country as she told the Television Academy Foundation: “I’ve been to Italy 21 times in my life.” She explained that when she was told the show would be filming in Italy So we vacationed before I had to go to work “It was a wonderful story,” the veteran actor said of the episodes Rosenthal credited the Italian Raymond episode for breathing life into his idea for a new series First on PBS in 2015 as I’ll Have What Phil’s Having Rosenthal went on to perfect his food and travel show concept on Netflix in 2018 as Somebody Feed Phil now with four seasons available on the streaming giant “This is what inspired me to make Somebody Feed Phil,” he said of the Everybody Loves Raymond “Italy” episode “It’s part food and travel but also part sitcom and — to my surprise — today Since when did embracing other people and other cultures become a liberal cause?”