Sewing the text block of the Romanesque limp binding Scientists agree that traveling to the past would be a more challenging concept than traveling to the future A way to get an incredible glimpse of the past for conservators and preservation librarians is by taking a class at the Montefiascone Conservation Project I took the workshop "A Luxury French Romanesque Binding" in Montefiascone This workshop was developed and taught by conservators Élodie Lévêque and Cédric Lelièvre Left: Cédric Lelièvre demonstrating the treatment of alum tawed vellum Right: Élodie Lévêque demonstrating the process of binding decoration Photos by author unless otherwise indicated Montefiascone Conservation Project brings together conservators and bookbinders from all around the world and this year I was fortunate to attend with colleagues from Europe We learned about the complexity and diversity of historic French limp structures and made a model based on a thirteenth-century Romanesque limp binding Some of the features of this historic binding are colored chevron endbands We were introduced to the process of fifteenth-century alum leather tawing and learned how to make the leather from parchment We worked in a seventeenth-century room that had period portraits and a coffered rosette ceiling and enjoyed the incredible views (and sounds) of sheep and cicadas Left: Romanesque limp model during the process of making (lining attachment) The Montefiascone Conservation Summer School started in 1992 following the preservation program of the library of the Seminario Barbarigo Both programs were developed thanks to the remarkable work and devotion of British conservator and program director The library was an important feature of the seminary that was built in the seventeenth century by the Cardinal of Montefiascone The seminary served as an educational center for students of theology and its focus was expanded from theology to secular studies with Barbarigo's successor Barbarigo and Garampi's collections of six thousand books (the former recognized for the vellum bindings and the latter ones for leather and other material coverings) have a significant importance for the history of Montefiascone and the history of the book Glimpse of the extraordinary collection in the Marco Antonio Barbarigo Library Montefiascone's rich history is linked to the important Roman road "Via Cassia," which connected Rome (eighty miles away) to Central Italy this road was strategically important to Roman popes and bishops While different popes had different interests in the town spent his summers in Montefiascone where he would invite eminent guests Montefiascone lies on the highest hill in the area and overlooks the beautiful Lake Bolsena Some of the most important sights in Montefiascone are the papal fortress Left: Upper structure of San Flaviano Church Right: Vaulted ceelings and frescoes Left: Corso Cavour street starts at the main gate to the town and leads to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele Right: Parade on the Corso Cavour that commemorates the "Est Papal fortress on the top of the hill overlooking the Lake Bolsena The Basilica of Santa Margherita is known for its grandiose dome that is considered one of the largest in Italy It is a place where the founder of the seminary Found outside of the walls of the medieval town is the San Flaviano Church It was built in Romanesque and Gothic styles in the ninth century and it is known for its different period frescoes the earliest ones dating back to the fourteenth century This intriguing structure is also known for the tomb of a German bishop famous for a legend that became known as "Est moved to Montefiascone in the twelfth century to enjoy its good wine and ended up dying from its overconsumption Citizens of Montefiascone commemorate the legend every year in August with period costumes and a parade during the wine festival season that coincides with the classes at the Montefiascone Conservation Program Travelling to the past might be challenging from a scientific perspective yet my medieval trip with the Montefiascone Conservation Project went quite smoothly The Republic of Albania is a small country which borders the eastern side of the southern Adriatic Sea and looks towards Puglia It has one of the oldest winemaking histories in the world landlocked country at the southern end of the Eurasian Caucasus – the mountainous region between Europe and Asia Austria is enjoying a renaissance as a modern wine producing nation Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the flag bearers Azerbaijan is a small country located in the Eurasian Caucasus As in neighboring Georgia winemaking here appears to date back thousands of years Better known for its vodka and grain spirit-based production than wine Belarus is a landlocked country in the north of Eastern Europe Belgium is better known for its traditional abbey-brewed beers than its wines but this small northern European country does produce a small quantity of wine each vintage Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country in the east of southern Europe also referred to as Bosnia and Herzegovina It does not produce a significant quantity of wine although it does have a few thousand acres of productive vineyards Bulgaria has a long history of viticulture and its modern wine industry is introducing regions The Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov dating back at least to the classical Greek period Croatia has been making wine for well over two thousand years the last three decades have seen a steady rise in quality The Mediterranean island of Cyprus lies 50 miles off the coast of Turkey In wine terms it is best known for the dessert wine Commandaria a wider range of styles and grape varieties are coming to the fore the western half of the former Czechoslovakia is better known for its beer than its wine though the latter is also produced in reasonable quantities Denmark is one of the three northern European countries which make up Scandinavia The brewing of beer dominates production of alcoholic beverages Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe far north of the latitudes in which grapes can reliably ripen and the nation is better known for its beers and vodkas Finland is a northern European country located on the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsular The majority of alcoholic beverages produced in Finland are beers and spirits distilled from grain France is arguably the wine world's most important country and home to famed regions such as Bordeaux For centuries it has produced wine in a wide variety of styles in greater quantity than any other country Georgia is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries The red grape Saperavi and the white grape Rkatsiteli are the key varieties grown here Germany's best Rieslings are some of the greatest whites in the world while fine wines are also made from a number of other red and white grape varieties Beer brewing is also a key part of the culture here Greece has been home to a winemaking industry for at least three thousand years Nowadays it combines tradition with modernity using both native and international grape varieties Hungary's wine industry is best known for Tokaj and Bull's Blood But its wine portfolio is much broader in terms of wine styles Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean located around 900 kilometers (550 miles) north of Scotland's Orkney Islands There is little chance of successful viticulture being carried out on the volcanic island Ireland is an island off the west coast of Britain The following description majors on the beverages produced in the Republic of Ireland It has a rich and diverse wine heritage and a bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles Kosovo is a region of south-eastern Europe once an autonomous province within the former Yugoslavia Kosovo had a substantial acreage of productive wine-bearing vineyards Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe The country once held the Guinness World Record as the world's most northerly commercial open-air vineyard known as Vina kalns ('wine hill') Liechtenstein is a tiny country hidden away among the Alps the country's most noteworthy vineyard is terraced into a rocky outcrop topped by the 1000-year-old Schloss Gutenberg Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe between Belarus and the Baltic Sea bordered by Latvia to the north and Poland to the south The country's best known alcoholic produce is its vodka Luxembourg (officially the 'Grand Duchy of Luxembourg') is a small nation in northern Europe covering just over 2,500 square kilometers (960sq miles) Only 1 percent of this is given over to viticulture Malta is a small island (25 miles / 40m long) in the central Mediterranean Ocean just 80km (50 miles) south of Sicily Viniculture here dates back to the early 16th Century when the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island bringing with them centuries of winemaking tradition Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and one of several former Soviet states in this region Moldova ranks among the most significant wine regions of Eastern Europe Montenegro is a small country on the western side of the Balkan Peninsula The wine industry here is best known for its intense deeply colored red wine made from the Vranac grape variety The Netherlands is a country in northern Europe The latter is the name of the ancient county in the western Netherlands Norway is a Nordic country located on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula but it also borders Finland and Russia at its far-northern edges is a new and perhaps surprising addition to the list of wine-producing nations Although viniculture is very much in its infancy here and has yet to make any mark on international markets But in the last decade or two it has gained acclaim for its new wave of rich with reds from the Douro Valley particularly prominent Romania lies at the crossroads between Central Europe and South-eastern Europe Its wine industry makes use of a broad portfolio of indigenous and international red and white grape varieties Russia is the largest country in the world covering over 17 million square kilometers (6.5 million square miles) although only the country's southernmost lands are capable of supporting quality viticulture is geographically the largest of the former Yugoslav states Serbian wine is not often seen on international markets although there is no question that the country has the potential to produce world-class wines Slovakia's vineyards are mostly clustered around Bratislava and scattered eastwards along the border with Hungary The eastern fringe of the Tokaj wine region lies in Slovakia Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of wine production Despite the cultural and political turmoil that has besieged the Balkan states over the past century one which has been particularly successful since the country gained independence from former Yugoslavia Spain is home to more hectares of vineyards than any other country and has a national wine output exceeded only by France and Italy Though a wide range of wine styles are made Tempranillo is by far the dominant grape variety Sweden is a country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe Winemaking here is very much in its infancy making up a fraction of one percent of the nation's total alcohol production Switzerland is not widely known as a wine-producing nation largely because the Swiss keep much of their output to themselves The white Chasselas grape is the specialty here Turkey may well be where wine production first began Today the country grows more grapes than almost any country on earth The United Kingdom is best known for its beer It also has a small wine industry which has undergone recent expansion particularly with respect to sparkling wine production Ukraine is a large Eastern European country with a long but potted history of wine production although the country is more readily associated to the production of grain-based spirits (horilka) Canada is famous for its high-quality ice wines but powerful Cabernet blends and aromatic dry Rieslings are also key features in the country's wine portfolio But wine has been made here for longer than anywhere else in the Americas The Vitis vinifera vine came to Mexico with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century The United States is home to many quality wine regions though its global reputation still rides on the success of California and the Napa Valley in particular Whiskey distilling and beer brewing are both integral parts of American culture Argentina is the largest producer of wine in South America its principal grape variety; in recent decades they have together risen to global prominence Bolivia has an extreme high-altitude wine industry in which around 75 percent of production is devoted to red wine its winemaking origins date back to the 16th Century arrival of the Spanish Brazil has a burgeoning wine industry led by its sparkling wines though Cachaça is still its best known export beverage Chile occupies a thin strip down the western coast South America and is home to an enviable variety of wine terroirs and styles it is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Colombia is situated at the north-western corner of South America though the country's rum has a higher profile Ecuador lies on the Pacific coast of northern South America There are only a few hundred hectares of vineyards; rum and beer are produced in much greater volumes Guyana is a country located on the Atlantic coast of northern South America It is well-known for its production of rum and cultivation of sugarcane Spanish-speaking country in central South America The country is more famous for its rum than its wines alhough it does produce more than seven million liters (1.85 million US gallons) of wine each year Peru is a Spanish-speaking nation in western South America Suriname is a country on the north-eastern coast of South America but a small amount of winemaking does in fact take place Uruguay is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in South America Wine grapes have been grown here for more than 250 years although commercial vineyards were first established in the second half of the 19th Century in terms of production of alcoholic beverages The bottlings from Diplomático and Ron Santa Teresa have gained particular acclaim around the world Belize is a small country on the eastern (Mediterranean) coast of Central America The Caribbean is not known for its wines (grape vines do not thrive in the tropical climate) though the region is the undisputed home of rum Costa Rica is a country in Central America and sits on the isthmus between Panama (to the south) and Nicaragua (to the north) The country's key alcoholic beverages are beer and rum Guatemala is a small country in Central America Although it is far from competing with Jamaica sugarcane and the rum produced from it are some of Guatemala's main exports Given Nicaragua's location at the western edge of the Caribbean it is hardly surprising that its key alcohol production comes from sugar famous as the land link between North America and South America It is also home to one of the world's largest tropical rainforests Australia is a leading wine producing country its climatic and geographical range offers versatility Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay lead the way Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean There are over 330 islands (110 are inhabited) plus many hundreds more islets New Zealand is known globally for its aromatic Sauvignon Blanc whites but it also makes a range of acclaimed cool-climate wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Bordeaux blends and Syrah Norfolk Island is a tiny island located in the Pacific Ocean located almost exactly half-way between New Caledonia and the northern tip of New Zealand Although technically part of the Commonwealth of Australia (Sydney lies 1050 miles / 1700km to the south-west) the island has a high level of self-governance is one of the world's least-known wine regions grape wine is made on this tropical island China vies with several countries as the world's sixth largest producer of wine by volume Its best producers are gaining international recognition India is a rapidly emerging wine economy in terms of both production and consumption with the potential to become a significant player Whisky and spirits distillation has a longer history Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country made up of 33 provinces spread across more than 13,000 individual islands there are wines made in Indonesia: not from imported must or juice but from grapes grown in the island's small number of vineyards though its modern industry has mostly developed in the last few decades The Judean Foothills and Galilee are the largest regions though grape wine has been made there for several centuries Beer and whisky production have also become established in the last hundred years Jordan is a country in the Middle East (or Western Asia as it is officially labeled by the UN) bordered by Iraq and Iran to the east The country takes its name from the Jordan river which since biblical times has been a vital source of water in this desert area Kazakhstan is a large trans-continental country: the vast majority of it lies in Asia but its western extremities cross over into eastern Europe Though it has a very long history of wine production vodka is the principal alcohlic beverage here Lebanon has an ancient wine culture and a modern industry dating from the 19th century Its vineyards are concentrated mostly in the Bekaa Valley The Republic of Myanmar (or Burma) produces a minute quantity of wine unlikely as that might seem to the outsider in this hot has been home to tiny plantings of wine-producing vines since the late 20th Century The high-altitude Himalayan climate is not particularly suited to Vitis vinifera vines so local wines are made from a combination of honey The Philippines is a complex group of islands in Southeast Asia indigenous wines are produced from a variety of fermented crops including fruit South Korea is a country at the far eastern extremity of East Asia situated on a large peninsula which juts southwards from north-eastern China Sri Lanka is an island off the southern tip of India Syria is a mid-sized country in the western Middle East (also known as the Near East) situated between the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts of Iraq is located at the centre of the Indochina Peninsula there are also a number of rum producers with the wine industry beginning to gain international notice Vietnam is one of a number of East Asian countries which have appeared on the wine radar since the turn of the century Although its growth is far from rapid and nowhere near as dramatic as that of neighboring China Vietnam's wine production is steadily increasing Algeria is a large country in the Maghreb geographical region of north-west Africa Though an Islamic nation it has a remarkably extensive area under vine Though today much of this focuses on table grape production it is still the second largest wine producer in Africa Cape Verde (officially Cabo Verde) is a small archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa originally colonized by settlers from Portugal in the 15th Century and has a long history of wine production Egypt is home to some of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth Madagascar is a large island off the south-east coast of Africa it lies almost entirely within the southern tropics creating an ideal climate for sugarcane cultivation and rum maturation Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean about 2000 kilometers off the south-east coast of Africa the country has a long history of rum production Morocco's wine industry retains a strong French influence over six decades from independence bordered by the southern Atlantic Ocean to the west South Africa to the south and Botswana to the east produces only very small quantities of grape wine Wines made from pineapples or palm sap are more common in this tropical nation Pinotage and Chenin Blanc have been its signatures Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also widely planted despite not having an international reputation as a wine producer is actually home to the second largest wine producing region in Sub-Saharan Africa (after South Africa) The history of wine production in the country is relatively recent and roughly grew in tandem with the independence of Tanganyika and its merger with Zanzibar in the 1960s Tunisia is a North African country with a long (if not consistent) history of wine production Despite being a predominantly Muslim country the wine industry here makes over 40 million liters of wine per year and there is no cultural tradition of winemaking have at least one producer making wine from hibiscus flowers Zimbabwe is rarely cited as a wine region of note the southern African nation's wine industry has been gradually growing and evolving This page is currently under development as we change its function Read about the best known regional styles and find the most popular signature style wines ShareSaveLifestyleDiningWhy This Oddly Named Italian Wine Is The Perfect Bottle To Serve This SummerByCourtney Schiessl Umbrian winery Falesco produces one of the tastiest whites in the Lazio at a bargain-basement price... allows wines to surprise in a way that standard wine drinking often does not Unclouded by preconceived notions of what the wines should take like high-end wines might come across as simplistic and disappointing while the most unassuming bottles of the bunch can reveal hidden virtues This was certainly the case with the Falesco ‘Le Pòggere’ Est a blend of three humble grape varieties that shows surprising refreshment and complexity at a bargain-basement price Lazio isn’t known for producing remarkable wines Most of the region’s wines are consumed in its capital and it’s due more to vacation nostalgia than inherent quality that wines from DOC areas like Frascati have garnered popularity in the U.S easy-drinking white wines are produced in Lazio Pair the 'Le Pòggere' with seafood di Montefiascone DOC sits in the northwestern part of Lazio Specializing in blends based on the neutral Trebbiano grape variety the region’s purported backstory is often more interesting than the wines themselves Legend states that a bishop traveling to Rome would send a scout ahead of him to suss out the inns boasting the best wines and mark them with the word Est the wine was apparently so good that the scout marked “Est and the wine was thereafter dubbed as thus Made from the traditional blend of Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, and Roscetto (aka Trebbiano Giallo), the Falesco ‘Le Pòggere’ Est Zesty lemon and crunchy green apple see minerally leesy undertones of seashells and cheese rind Refreshing citrus and savory notes again lead on the bright there’s every excuse to have this bottle on hand for summer seafood pairings and impromptu gatherings — it fits with every occasion Find It: Falesco ‘Le Pòggere’ Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone 2016 Architecture firm studio gamp! has just finished planning the ‘Villas in Montefiascone’, a set of three houses –  two above ground and one below – located in the gentle countryside of Viterbo, Italy The overground pitched-roof volumes stand as converted tuff buildings that once stored agricultural machinery while the underground house sits smaller in size and holds a garden roof  blending harmoniously into the Tuscia landscape without altering its balance without giving up on the characteristics of a modern project,’ explain the architects.  The ‘Villas in Montefiascone’ reveal a strong balance between rigorous functional layouts and spatial fluidity. To strike that balance, gamp! (see more here) seamlessly connected the interiors to the exterior by accurately positioning the windows and upgrading existing balconies which show a predisposition to outdoor life.  though we have played with their geometries through slight deformations and through the way they rest upon the ground; particularly in the light blue house makes the space ever-changing and lacking symmetry,’ shares the team.  Wanting the houses to fuse with the rural landscape resorted to traditional materials: terracotta and a capacity to endure the traces of time The recycled terracotta tiles cover the smallest house of the set Wainscot panels climb up the facades of the light blue residence while stoneware and ceramic tiles cover its interior walls and fireplaces the surrounding landscape is dotted with simple metal gazeboes creating building outlines that ‘counteract the commodity of the internal living spaces.’ annex area: 101 sqm  architecture: studio gamp! construction company: Franchi 2004 s.r.l garden and exterior spaces: Valentino Anselmi botanical dry garden suppliers: Graniti Fiandre, Orsolini Amedeo S.p.a. photography: Lorenzo Zandri  designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Pope Francis named a new Secretary of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints had served since 8 February 2014 as the Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops Bishop Fabene attended the Minor Seminary in the then-diocese of Montefiascone then completed his theological studies at the Pontifical Regional Seminary in Viterbo He was ordained a priest for the same diocese on 26 May 1984 He later received his doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University holding the position of Episcopal Chancellor from 1984 to 1998 and also taught Canon Law at the Viterbo Theological Institute where he served as Office Head as of 24 April 2010 He also served as Substitute of the Secretariat of the College of Cardinals he has been External Judge of the Court of First Instance for marriage annulment cases in the Lazio Region at the Ordinary Court of the Diocese of Rome He was appointed Prelate of Honor of His Holiness on 11 January 2012 Bishop Fabene is the author of several articles for journals of Canon Law biographies on Cardinal Barbarigo and Mons and books on the ministry of both Italian clergymen Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here words: While the Lazio region of central Italy might be home to one of the country’s most enticing culinary destinations — Rome of course — the same can’t be said for the area’s wine With renowned regions of Tuscany to the north and Campania to the south Lazio’s bottles are often relegated to local restaurant tables and widely ignored on the international market There are 26 distinct designations within Lazio and one in particular has even been described as the planet’s “dullest white wine” by esteemed wine writers Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson in “The World Atlas of Wine.” Why would anyone pay extra attention to these seemingly lackluster wines it largely comes down to some goofy punctuation The region’s designation under the Italian denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) system is “Est di Montefiascone.” Slap that on a label and it tends to stand out on wine-shop shelves among Italian white wines like Fiano di Avellino and Roero Arneis which tend to boast considerably fewer exclamation points Legend has it that this unusual grammatical choice dates back to the 12th century during which a German bishop was traveling to the Vatican for a meeting with the pope the bishop sent someone from the church ahead of him to determine the best route including which villages had the best wines He was instructed to write “est” — Latin for “it is” — on the door or wall of any inns he visited that had stand-out wines so the bishop would know where to stop the wine was so impressive that the trail tester wrote “Est The details of this story are frequently and predictably disputed and even though its origins are centuries old it was only in 1966 that the white wines of this area were given official DOC status under the Est di Montefiascone geographical denomination The appellation is situated to the north of Rome near Lake Bolsena and its volcanic soils must make up between 50 and 65 percent of the blend The rest of the blend can include Trebbiano Giallo (known locally as Rossetto) and Malvasia Bianca The resulting wines are known for their delicate apple notes and crisp acidity and while bottles from this appellation have been described as less than dynamic many might appreciate their more subtle characteristics if you see a bottle hailing from this area in Lazio it might be worth checking out — maybe for its eccentric name or *Image retrieved from ink drop via stock.adobe.com A Festival entirely dedicated to "sister water" inspired by the contents of Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato si' on the care of our common home will take place over the next few days in Montefiascone a small town of Etruscan origin located about a hundred kilometers from Rome A boy affected by worsening drought pulls a jerrycan of water in Kenya ©CNS photo/Thomas Mukoya environmental scholars and artists will take turns in performances framing the environmental theme in a universal perspective considering creation as a "common good that must be defended in the present time and for future generations," explain the organizers The initiative is promoted for the third year by the "Rocca dei Papi" Association founded in December 2019 by Archbishop Fabio Fabene then undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops and now secretary of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints It takes its name from the medieval fortress that dominates the valley of Viterbo preserving vestiges of pre-Christian settlements the Rocca was a center from which the popes administered the political affairs of their dominions in Central Italy was created to enhance the value of a territory that as well as for its rich religious tradition lends itself well to communicate and disseminate the principles linked to the care of the common home in the wake of the magisterium of Pope Francis This year's edition, dedicated as we said to the theme of water, will be inaugurated with a keynote lecture by the economist Stefano Zamagniformer president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and one of the "fathers" of civil economy highly appreciated by both Benedict XVI and Bergoglio This will be followed by a theatrical performance and a performance by the Papal Chapel Choir of Assisi various professionals will discuss how to valorize the land and protect the water resources available to citizens the Bishop of Viterbo (the diocese to which the municipality of Montefiascone belongs) will give a lecture on water as "a gift that quenches thirst and vivifies" Other speeches will explore the theme of water in communication The reference to water in the Encyclical Laudato si' appears 39 times It is present in reference to the "wounds" inflicted on creation through the many types of pollution and there is also a whole section devoted to what is called "an issue of paramount importance," as in numbers 28-31 there is discussion of the poverty of public water in Africa and the problem of its "quality" in reference to the water available to the poor Pope Francis makes it unambiguously clear that access to safe and potable water is rather "an essential fundamental and universal human right," a condition for the exercise of all other rights and as such must be absolutely safeguarded the soil and the mountains "is God's caress" (n A warning to the international community (see nn 164-175) that is also reiterated in the recent Message for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation which will take place as usual on September 1 together with the other Christian communities This year's theme is inspired by the words of the prophet Amos (5:24): "Let justice and righteousness flow like an everlasting stream" An opportunity to "create a more sustainable and just world," which must see "our hearts," "lifestyles" and the "public policies" that govern societies transformed Hearts that are transformed by considering creation no longer as an "object to be exploited" but as a "sacred gift of the Creator" to be safeguarded we must learn to waste less and avoid unnecessary consumption improving habits and economic choices and "practicing joyful sobriety" thanks to which it is necessary to put an end to "the era of fossil fuels" to curb global warming a commitment that world leaders had made on several occasions both with the Paris Agreement and at the various COP summits work and pray so that in our common home life may once again abound," Pope Francis concludes in the Message entrusting this renewal to the guidance of the Holy Spirit Subscribe to Omnes magazine and enjoy exclusive content for subscribers The former assistant director of the Gaston County Museum of Art and History now serves as the museum's director served as assistant director starting in 2017 when she came to the museum from Belmont Abbey College where she had been working as director of preservation and curator of rare books she served as the museum's interim director "I had my eye on the museum for quite a few years," Pizza said And we lived about a mile from all the museums within Charlotte… and yet the very first museum I visited was the Gaston County Museum of Art History which was about a 45-minute drive with three babies in the car." "Gaston County Museum is accredited by AAM (American Alliance of Museums) this museum has a ton of potential," she said Pizza has a history of working in conservation She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in craft and sculpture at the University of the Arts and a master’s degree in arts administration from Winthrop University in Rock Hill She studied as the Nicholas Hadgraft scholar at the Montefiascone Book Conservation School in Montefiascone Italy and served as the assistant conservator for the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford in Oxford "Books and paper were definitely my passion when it came to conservation," she said She moved to North Carolina in 2010 after her husband was offered a job as a professor of English at Belmont Abbey College Pizza was initially reluctant to come to the area but then she learned Belmont Abbey has a collection of rare books "There are over 23,000 rare books at Belmont Abbey College … And I really just fell in love with the collection and the people rather than the physical work of rebinding rare books her focus on conservation is "at a strategic level," she said " So what can we do to promote preservation of the collection Pizza aided in redesigning a facility to house the museum's collections Between the collections building and the building that houses the museum itself the museum houses more than 83,000 artifacts and the rest is largely historical artifacts "They range from historic carriages to farm equipment The move into the collections and archives facility allowed Pizza to use her experience in executing large-scale collection moves "And that includes teaching staff: how to clean mold what materials to buy that are standard in conservation," she said Pizza feels the museum has a bright future Recent talks among county officials about defunding the museum sparked a backlash in the community a former North Carolina senator and a former county sheriff addressing the Board of Commissioners directly to talk about the museum's importance to the community The Board of Commissioners fully funded the museum for the coming year "I think that we have never been better poised for a successful future as we are now We have been through some of the greatest challenges the museum has faced in its 47 year history in the past year," Pizza said "We have a stronger and more engaged board than I have ever seen We have a commitment from the commissioners to fully fund the museum And we have some of the most talented staff members I have ever worked with So I'm actually really hopeful and excited about the future We need to build on the momentum that we've had from our community." The museum has an exhibit planned for September called "Niche Knits."  The display will include stockings from a local hosiery mill knitting machines that were used in the textile mills and an interactive exhibit for children that will allow them to dress paper dolls in clothing from different eras The museum also has a fundraiser coming up a murder mystery dinner on July 21 and 22 at the Esquire Hotel in downtown Gastonia Tickets are available on the museum's website and at the Esquire Pizza says she wants the museum to "be a place that inspires creativity "I want it to be a place where people gather to celebrate to challenge themselves and to question how we relate to each other and to our shared humanity," she said "The Gaston County Museum needs to provide relevance provide fundamental meaningfulness in its exhibits and its programs that are important to human nature at its core." The museum's biggest challenge going forward will be in figuring out what that looks like Staff have been talking about reimagining the museum's permanent textile exhibit "What I would like to see is a museum that reflects the people who come through our doors So not those 'do not touch' signs and 'please be quiet' signs," she said you can hear an oral history from a textile mill worker or you can hear what it was like to grow up in Lowell "So I think what we really want to see is a new museum when you walk in the front door we're going to be really working hard with designers and our board and our community to determine what that looks like," she added She said that she not only wants to create a safe space for reflection but a space that presents history in all its forms "Museum professionals for a long time have been talking about museums as places that are safe spaces for reflection that provide knowledge and understanding and challenge visitors to confront the ways in which they view the world," she said Don’t miss the latest drinks industry news and insights Sign up for our award-winning newsletters and get insider intel and trends delivered to your inbox every week By embracing age-old traditions and organic viticulture a handful of quality-minded winemakers are changing the region’s reputation At the intersection of mountain influences and cooling Mediterranean breezes the Lazio region of Italy has all the natural resources to be a high-quality wine area But a move toward large-scale industrial farming and an emphasis on fashionable international grapes rather than indigenous varieties in the second half of the 20th century gave Lazio a reputation for high-volume low-quality white wines—most of which were offered in cheap carafes at trattorias throughout Rome Lazio does not enjoy a good reputation,” says Georgea Marini the winemaker for Azienda Agricola Marini Georgea in Gradoli “because in the past it has never focused on quality and effective promotion at the national and international levels.” One of the most important catalysts for change in Lazio is the presence of a huge market—the sprawling city of Rome, and the increasing interest in natural wine there, says Sandro Sangiorgi, a wine educator and writer, and the founder of cultural association Porthos Racconta in Rome “This is demonstrated by the locals in wine bars there are those who are willing to satisfy that interest “Wine growing [in Lazio] has stopped being only about producing a high quantity of grapes with out-of-control yields,” says Sangiorgi “This trend of change from high-yield production to focus on healthy vineyards will continue with a shift to organic production throughout the region; even the reluctant will be surrounded by larger companies that have already made the conversion.” for sure—who have the edge in the race,” he says “But none of those areas have the critical mass of humans pouring into their nearest urban center.” Lazio is also home to a large variety of native grapes many of which are being revived by modern winemakers While the revolution in wine quality is happening across Lazio three exceptional vineyard areas are driving the change: the Frascati DOC in Castelli Romani located just south of Rome; Olevano Romano located a bit further southeast; and to the north Sangiorgi says that the vineyard area of Monte Porzio a village in the Frascati DOC with volcanic soils could be considered one of the great grand crus of Italy once producers focus on quality over quantity Native Romans Danielle Presutti and Chiara Bianchi, the proprietors of the Cantina Ribelà winery saw past Monte Porzio’s lackluster reputation when they purchased two hectares of vineyard land in 2014 who studied philosophy and worked in her family’s restaurant for 10 years both knew they wanted to switch gears and become winemakers in their native Lazio area despite the devaluation of the land and loss of traditions because they believed they could produce quality wines “We want to revive old traditions,” says Presutti “and improve the quality of the wine made here.” Presutti and Bianchi resolved to practice biodynamics in the vineyard and cultivate only Lazio’s native grapes like Malvasia Puttinata and Cesanese; in the winery the traditional vessel for fermenting and aging “and we were lucky enough to meet a cooper who still does this job it is the best thing—the characteristics of natural micro-oxygenation that [this] wood has Though Lazio is now known as a white-wine region it was traditionally home to red varieties like the Cesanese grape that characterizes the Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC The geology of Olevano Romano is especially distinctive; the DOC is located in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains and at the outer edge of the Monte Albano volcano “Lazio has always produced excellent wines, since the Roman times, because it has good soils and climate conditions,” says Lorella Reale, who co-owns with her husband the winery Piero Riccardi Lorella Reale Viticoltori  in Olevano Romano “During the second half of the 20th century But now some grape growers are working to produce quality wines.” Reale and her husband started making wines on Riccardi’s inherited family land in 2010 working biodynamically and promoting plant and animal biodiversity The Riccardi-Reale winery specializes in Cesanese and experiments with a small amount of white wine The couple insists on hand-harvesting and employs spontaneous fermentation They also work with locally made chestnut barrels which are the ideal vessels for creating wines expressive of their terroir located near the borders of Tuscany and Umbria a crater lake in the now dormant volcano Monte Volsinii have attracted new investment and interest thanks to their rich volcanic soils and lake-influenced microclimate Natural-wine producers Le Coste and Andrea Occhipinti have brought international attention to the small Gradoli subregion Many of the relatively young producers here were inspired to preserve traditional varieties like Aleatico and Procanico (also known as Trebbiano Toscano) and to work with as little intervention as possible in the winery “I decided to produce quality wines because I believe very much in the potential of the vines in the area of ​​Gradoli “and also because I didn’t want to have to fight to the bottom to be able to occupy a place on the shelf of a supermarket.” Instead for which the Aleatico di Gradoli DOC is named along with its traditional regional style—luscious Marini is one of just two producers making Aleatico in this style making just 4,000 to 5,000 bottles annually For the proprietors of Il Vinco, the reputation of Lazio could present an opportunity. “For us, the wine heritage of Lazio is neither a burden nor a disadvantage,” says Manoni. “While it’s true that for many years this region has been seen [for] quantity production at the expense of quality, it’s also true that for new, innovative companies like ours, it’s relatively easier to emerge in the [Lazio] market [as compared with] nobler and more famous regions.” As more producers return to the traditional regions, grapes, and techniques of Lazio, the new wave of quality will continue to gain momentum. “A revolution is underway,” adds Manoni, “with many new young—and [some] less young—people who want to redeem their territory.” Don’t miss the latest drinks industry news and insights—delivered to your inbox every week. Sarah May Grunwald lives and works in the Lazio countryside and leads wine tours and tastings in Rome and throughout Italy. She is a certified sommelier and current WSET Diploma student. She is the owner of the Tbilisi wine-and-food tour company Taste Georgia. These six regions in Texas, Washington, and California—including one AVA that has already been approved—have exciting potential for the U.S. wine industry As vines are pulled and grapes left unpicked across California, farmers blame tax loopholes, import incentives, and sluggish demand. Now, some ask, can tariffs provide much-needed relief? The fresh, fruit-forward profile of classic Provence rosé calls for reductive winemaking, but some producers are turning to a more oxidative approach to add complexity to their wines There’s no right way to space a vineyard, but winemakers and researchers nonetheless have strong—and often opposing—views on the best way to approach vine density SevenFifty Daily is a Provi publication. Learn more about how Provi simplifies the complex process of ordering, selling, and promoting wholesale alcohol between buyers, distributors, and suppliers. SevenFifty Daily is an award-winning online magazine about the business and culture of the beverage alcohol industry covering all three tiers of the alcohol industry. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article Print Tens of thousands of people hike the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain each year But less known and far less traveled is the Via Francigena in Italy Beginning this fall, Berkeley-based Wilderness Travel will offer guided trips on 80 miles of this ancient route which once ran 1,000 miles from Canterbury The guided hike starts in Siena and ends up at St director of new trip development for Wilderness Travel said participants will walk with a native of the region who lives along the route The guide will take take guests to the best portions of this 7th century trail “Pilgrimage is becoming a really meaningful thing in people’s lives,” Banks said “Whether they are from a particular spiritual tradition or not it’s a way to mark a certain beginning or ending to their lives and a way to mark major transitions.” the company will help obtain a “testimonium” from the Vatican certifying they have completed a portion of the trail The 10-day trek will wind through the Italian countryside past wheat fields cypress trees and ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins The trip crosses into historic towns such as Siena There are currently two departures for the trip: Sept Info: Wilderness Travel KISS cruise with the band, and other hard-rocking parties at sea There are up-close views of Mendocino County’s stunning coastline on these new trails 100 best places in the U.S. for brunch, including 16 in California 9 ways to keep those airline rewards miles alive Lifestyle Travel & Experiences Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map That the union took place at all is nothing short of remarkable given that the events that led up to it played out like a soap opera: the bride was ambushed and imprisoned at Innsbruck to disrupt the match at the behest of King George I and his band of officers facilitated the subsequent jailbreak broken axles and the spiking of some hapless pursuers' drinks The escape party made it across the Alps to Montefiascone where James and Clementina were finally married in a ceremony performed by order of the Pope on the night of 1 September 1719 The episode caused a scandal throughout Europe but unfortunately did not have a fairytale ending as the couple separated soon after their second son was born Director's Choice Uncut Supporting water and clean energy with innovative pipes and fittings we have a role to play to make a positive difference Since launching our long-term strategy in 2021 a world leader enabling access to water and energy through innovative fluid management solutions today announced that it has signed a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Brussels-based Aliaxis Holdings SA signed the agreement with Hamburg-based wind and solar park operator Encavis AG listed on the MDAX of Deutsche Börse AG (Prime Standard; ISIN: DE0006095003; ticker symbol: ECV) ENCAVIS’ 38 MW solar park in Montefiascone in the Lazio region is planned to be connected to the grid in 2025 Aliaxis will settle a volume of around 50 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year produced by ENCAVIS (500 GWh over 10 years) which corresponds to a large part of the electricity consumption of Aliaxis’ businesses in Europe “Sustainability is at the core of our Growth with Purpose strategy we need to act now,” commented the CEO of Aliaxis “This is why we set a short-term target for a CO2  decrease of 75% per tonne of production on Aliaxis sites Our action plan includes an objective of reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2025 Our European operations have made excellent progress as we have secured production of renewable electricity corresponding to a large portion of our operations as of 2025 Our Pacific region will be fully powered by renewable electricity next year and our four production facilities in Quebec have achieved 100% renewable electricity status we continue to make strides in our sustainability goals.” “We are very pleased to have Aliaxis as a renowned partner whom we can support in its sustainability strategy with our green electricity on a long-term basis,” said Mario Schirru welcoming the conclusion of the joint agreement “Montefiascone is another convincing project which we realise in these turbulent times – after having signed several PPAs successfully in Spain Finland and Denmark – we can now add our first unsubsidised Italian project to our list.” Annamaija Bergius Global Communications Director +32 2 775 57 57 Aliaxis and ENCAVIS sign a long-term Power Purchase Agreement which includes museums dedicated to the history of this corner of Italy declined in all its aspects and scattered in the various towns and villages around the lake One of the most important places of worship in the entire area, the basilica of Santa Cristina in Bolsena was for centuries an obligatory stop for pilgrims engaged in traveling the Via Francigena The basilica dates back to the 11th century although it has since undergone many modifications as evidenced by the facade from which it exudes a distinctly Renaissance style This is a place not only of high artistic value it preserves the traces of two prodigious events that recall the martyrdom of the saint and the Eucharistic miracle of when a priest saw drops of blood descend from a consecrated host These are the ingredients of the Turona Archaeological Nature Park a little gem off the beaten path of mass tourism in the hills south of Bolsena In this oasis of peace located along the ancient Via Francigena it is possible to fully immerse oneself among the magnificent scenery of the Vulsini Mountains during the visit it will also be possible to follow the footsteps of history by admiring ancient mills and the remains of an Etruscan settlement with a burial area and even the foundations of an imposing temple Whether you’re looking for a place to relax at the end of the day or to discover picturesque views to keep in your memories, Bolsena ’s lakeside promenade is a must-see Walking along the great promenade that runs parallel to the shores of the mirror of water is a truly rich experience and from here you have a privileged vantage point for the many wonders that these places preserve including enchanted villages and lush nature for which the crystal-clear waters of the lake are both mirror and integral part from Bolsena’s lakefront one can dive into the water set off on a canoe trip or stop on a beach Squeezed between the shores of the lake and cultivated fields, Marta retains a unique charm that makes it one of the most picturesque places in this corner of upper Lazio The village lies on the slopes of the mountain of the same name where the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte stands from which one can enjoy breathtaking views this fishing village is also a place where you can unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and recharge your batteries by strolling along the lakefront from which you can admire the lake’s two islands The waters at Marta beach are then among the clearest in the entire lake and are one of the best places to swim Unmistakable with its massive grandeur the Rocca Farnese of Capodimonte is a stately palace but also designed for purely military purposes that dominates the historic center of the town this building dates back to the 14th century and has seen popes artists and politicians pass within its walls who from here were able to fill their eyes with the splendid landscapes of Lake Bolsena and in particular the Bisentina Island that lies just in front of it Numerous legends still hover over the fortress of Capodimonte many of them related to the figure of Giulia Farnese The fury that in the 17th century raged over the city of Castro, then a flourishing center of the Latium Maremma and capital of the duchy of the same name is compared by many historians only to that which befell Carthage Castro was completely razed to the ground in 1649 by order of Pope Innocent X and since then nature has taken its course by taking back its space travelers must let their imaginations carry them a bit at which point they will have no trouble seeing in the ruins that emerge among the grass and plants the remains of an ancient Renaissance city where great artists and architects worked the Antica Castro archaeological park has been created and today they can thus follow a marked route during which they can admire not only the ruins of streets but also the numerous quarries from the Etruscan period that are found in the surroundings its construction began around the 11th century in a Romanesque-Gothic style What makes San Flaviano in Montefiascone special is the fact that it consists of two overlapping churches each oriented in the opposite direction from the other and put in communication with each other by a staircase In the lower basilica stands out a valuable cycle of allegorical frescoes still well preserved that adorn its side walls served anciently as a women’s gallery and at its center preserves a throne built in 1262 by Pope Urban IV Fabrizio (Fab) Aumento died unexpectedly in Italy on 8 October 2016 at the age of 76. He was buried in Civitavecchia, Italy, alongside his parents. Since 2001 he had been an independent researcher at Universita Tuscia in Viterbo. Liz and I last saw him at his home in Montefiascone, about an hour north of Rome, in 2008. He was the consummate host and tour guide. We visited the hill towns of the area, Etruscan tombs, local historic landmarks and dined at his favourite restaurants. Fab of course chose the local wines that he knew so well, including the famous Est! Est!! Est!!! I first met Fab when he arrived at Dalhousie University Geology Department in the summer of 1962. I was an undergrad and would become his guide to North Mountain mineral collecting sites. He was collecting zeolites for x-ray diffraction studies that would become the basis for both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. research. His doctoral thesis was entitled “Thermal Transformation of Selected Zeolites and Related Hydro Silicates”. This was the start of friendship that spanned more than 50 years. Following graduation in 1965, Fab joined the Mineralogy Section of the GSC. Initially he undertook mineralogical studies of the asbestos deposits of the Jeffery Mine in Quebec. I joined the Petrology Section the following year and we joined forces once again, notably developing dredging and photographic equipment that we used to gather samples on the Flemish Cap and several Atlantic sea mounts, in the process discovering thick manganese pavements on San Pablo sea mount. Fab undertook several cruises with BIO to the mid- Atlantic Ridge. Sea floor spreading, petrology and mineralogy of the basaltic rocks of the ridge and fission track dating would become the focus of his research for the next 15 years. During this period he coordinated numerous multidisciplinary teams and published extensively. He left the Survey in 1970 to return to Dalhousie where he became ever more immersed in investigations of the mid-Atlantic Ridge. He became Chairman of the department in January 1973 and it was under his direction that Dalhousie became immersed in leg 37 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, drilling a deep bore hole on the Ridge at 45°N. He was awarded the Steacie Fellowship from NSERC in 1976 and was elected to the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). He took sabbatical leave in 1977-78. During this period, in Halifax, he became interested in yachting or maybe it was his interest in innovative boat building techniques. He undertook the design and construction of a 40 ft. ferro-concrete yacht that he named the Manitou. His knowledge of asbestos led him to test various asbestos fibres as a strengthening element for the concrete that he would use in the construction of the boat. I am glad I had the opportunity to sail with him. On one occasion we were becalmed in the Bay of Fundy and the motor had failed. We limped back to Nova Scotia for repairs and spent a week in Shelburne. I built a BBQ from an old electrical box from the local bone yard and remember cooking mackerel on the rear deck. What a great time we had turning a misadventure into a summer holiday! Fab had a wanderlust and was always looking for new challenges. He resigned his teaching and administrative duties at Dalhousie in 1978 to sail his boat to the Azores where he used it as a platform for geophysical and geothermal studies for the Portuguese government. Subsequently he returned to Italy and set up a consulting business in Milan. He undertook a broad spectrum of research for governments and private interests, concentrating on the exploration and development of geothermal power. The company was dissolved on the death of his business partner but Fab continued consulting. He ultimately took up residence in Montefiascone. He was active even in his “retirement years”, pursuing his research and teaching until the time of his death. He continued his work on geothermal heat flow and the measurement of radon gas both as a tool for exploration and for the evaluation of its environmental and health effects. Fab was prolific, publishing the results of his research in over 50 juried papers, as well as producing numerous unpublished and confidential reports for his clients. Fab was a man of ideas, many interests, boundless energy, and an enthusiasm that was contagious. He had the ability to organize and coordinate the work of multidisciplinary research teams and publish their findings. But most of all I will miss his kind and helpful nature, positive outlook and the joy of life that he shared with his friends and colleagues. Ted Lawrence Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa GEOLOG Volume 46, Number / Numéro 4, Winter / Hiver 2017 SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe two and a third." Cheryl Porter traces her index finger over the punctured leather cover of an ancient book propped on a table in the library of an historic Italian seminary "This book was used for target practice after Napoleon invaded Italy Someone made these holes by firing a musket into it." Cheryl says Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. 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. All Rights Reserved. Wanted in RomeMagazine Rome residents in search of a nearby inland destination need look no further than Bolsena. Head north up the Via Cassia to Italy’s largest volcanic lake, Lake Bolsena, whose circular 43 km shoreline practically borders on Tuscany and Umbria. Here you will find beautiful scenery, placid waters, charming old towns and good fish meals. Bolsena’s main monument is the Cathedral of S. Cristina, dedicated to an 11-year-old girl martyred during the reign of Roman emperor Diocletian. Her yearly feast (23-24 July) is a major event, with the solemn procession carrying the statue of the saint making regular halts to witness live tableaux of the various torments she suffered, enacted by young local girls. Beautiful Bolsena. Photo FotoDruk.pl Before you leave the basilica, take note of the chapel dedicated to another woman martyr from Bolsena, St Mary of Peace. She was a missionary nun in China, murdered during the Boxer uprising in 1900 and canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Pleasant outings around the lakeside include the old fishermen’s hamlet of Marta and the town of Capodimonte, with kilometres of grassy shore-side parks where families can rent deck chairs, cycle, swim and relax at one of the many cafés and restaurants. Montefiascone overlooking Lake Bolsena. Photo By lauradibi - Shutterstock Nearby Montefiascone can boast one of Lazio’s best known traditional wines Few tour guides can resist trotting out the legend of the famous “Est Est!!!” This odd name is attributed to a trusted servant of Cardinal Deuc who was travelling through Italy on the way to Rome in the year 1111 The cardinal had sent his man on ahead to sample the wines in the inns on their route with instructions to mark the establishments serving good wine with the Latin “Est!” (in this case meaning “OK here”) The servant was so enthusiastic about Montefiascone vintage that he wrote “Est” three times with exclamation marks this was the third Italian wine to gain DOC status in 1966 You can visit the historic Leonardi cellar on the outskirts of Montefiascone The cellar was founded by Domenico Leonardi at the end of the 19th century and is still owned by the same family took us on the tour of the catacomb-like tunnels We could almost hear the cardinal gloating This article was originally published in the September 2012 edition of Wanted in Rome magazine Wanted in Rome ™ is member of the Wanted World Wide Ltd network.Click here to find out more about our Network or Follow us on social networks © 2025 / 2026 Wanted World Wide LTD Network