Bassano In Teverina: Discover Churches, Towers and Landscapes

Churches and buildings with a history of their own

The Chiesa della Madonna della Quercia represents a clearly dated period in the town’s history. Its construction began in 1674; on September 28, 1678, it was opened for worship. Four years lie between the start of construction and the opening for worship. The church is located about one kilometer from Bassano In Teverina in the direction of Chia. The indication of about one kilometer is an approximate distance, not an exact route description. For individual travel planning, the approximate distance helps with spatial orientation without specifying a particular walking or driving time. When planning individually, this remains a spatial indication and not a stipulation for the length of stay.

A second layer of history appears at the Clock Tower. It has a hand-painted majolica clock dating from around 1700 and houses the Romanesque bell tower of the adjoining church of Santa Maria dei Lumi. Santa Maria dei Lumi itself is a Romanesque church from the first half of the 12th century. Here, the clock, bell tower and church building are connected spatially, while their dates are far apart. The different dates therefore do not belong to the same period.

The Fontana Vecchia was built in 1576 by Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo. The Chiesa dei Santi Fidenzio e Terenzio contains a fresco from the 16th century. It was removed from the destroyed Chiesa di San Rocco and transferred onto canvas. The change from the original church building to canvas forms part of this fresco’s history while also preserving its connection to the former Chiesa di San Rocco.

The Chiesa dell'Immacolata was consecrated in 1879 and is considered the first church in the world dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Castello Orsini di Vasanello, a castle, and the Palazzo Chigi, a palace, are also located in the surroundings of Bassano In Teverina. The castle and palace represent a different architectural focus from the churches.

The chronological sequence extends from the first half of the 12th century through 1576 and the years 1674 to 1678, up to 1879.

Wide views and an unusual waterscape

Sasso Quadro is a viewpoint overlooking the Tiber Valley and Tiberine Umbria. After the churches and buildings, the focus here shifts to the expansive landscape.

Lake Vadimone is almost completely silted up today. Sulfur-bearing springs feed it with milky-looking water. Together with marsh vegetation and mineral deposits, they form hills resembling the motif of “floating islands” recorded by some Latin authors. Unlike the viewpoint at Sasso Quadro, the lake reveals itself through its unusual characteristics. At Lake Vadimone, marsh vegetation and mineral deposits stand out in the landscape alongside the water.

More destinations

Roccalvecce, Tuscania, Marta, Cava, San Martino Al Cimino, Sutri, Chia and Marina Velca

To the higher-level travel overview: Viterbo.