Gradoli on Lake Bolsena

Gradoli is situated on the northern slope of Lake Bolsena, on a tuff hill 475 metres above sea level in the heart of the Volsini Mountains. This location provides the setting for historic buildings, museums, customs and regional products. If you would like to get to know Italy through more than just its landscapes, and also explore its history, everyday culture and regional characteristics, Gradoli offers several different points of connection.

Palazzo Farnese and museums

The Palazzo Farnese is at the centre of the town’s history. Antonio da Sangallo the Younger designed the palace; it was built between 1517 and 1526 on behalf of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Rooms richly decorated with frescoes have been preserved in the Palazzo Farnese. The Museo del Costume Farnesiano is located on the piano nobile and the top floor of the Palazzo Farnese. It displays reproductions of noble, folk and ecclesiastical clothing, accessories, weapons and armour from the Renaissance. The exhibition also includes ceramics found during excavations in the Palazzo Farnese.

Gradoli’s archaeological museum is also located in the Palazzo Farnese. There you can see tools used to process hemp and wool, including a loom, spindles, bobbins and scissors. The Museum of Sacred Art, on the other hand, is located in the sacristy of the collegiate church of Santa Maria Maddalena. It preserves a Renaissance fresco cycle depicting the Passion of Christ. In Gradoli, courtly, artisanal and religious aspects can thus be understood through specific exhibits and buildings.

Historic centre and living traditions

A tour of Gradoli’s historic centre begins at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and passes through the Ciuchini Arch, the former gate of the town. Several firmly established traditions are also of interest when planning your visit: the traditional ritual “Perdono di San Magno” takes place every year on 19 August. On Shrove Tuesday, members of the Fratellanza del Purgatorio collect donations in Gradoli during the procession degli incappucciati. During the “Tentavecchie” procession in January, children and adults parade through the streets with unusual musical instruments.

Dishes and wines from Gradoli

The town’s culinary side is also associated with a fixed date. The “Pranzo del Purgatorio” has been held in Gradoli on Ash Wednesday since the 17th century. Fagiolo del Purgatorio is served with rice in broth and fish soups. The wines Aleatico and Greghetto have a controlled designation of origin, or DOC for short. The volcanic soils of the municipality of Gradoli are also covered by the production regulations for Grechetto in the white and red varieties.

To Lake Bolsena and through the countryside

From Gradoli, hiking and cycling routes lead to Lake Bolsena and through vineyards and olive groves. This allows you to explore the surrounding area at a calm, landscape-focused pace and connect the lake with the agricultural areas around the town. Another specific destination is the 15th-century Church of San Magno. It is located approximately seven kilometres from Gradoli’s town centre on the shore of Lake Bolsena.

Other places in the surrounding area

For further travel planning, you can also include Caprarola, Castiglione in Teverina, Fastello, Orte, Marina Velca, Gallese, Bomarzo and Vignanello.

For the overarching travel overview: Viterbo.