Ischia Di Castro: Archaeology, Frescoes and Landscape

Ischia Di Castro’s cultural identity is presented at the Museo archeologico “Pietro e Turiddo Lotti”. In thematic rooms spread over two floors, the museum displays archaeological finds and works of art from the municipal area, conveying the history of the area and its former inhabitants from prehistory to the Renaissance. The works on display include six 13th-century frescoes depicting apostles from the Romitorio di Poggio Conte.

Archaeology between Castro and Visentium

The archaeological area of Castro extends over approximately 3 hectares on a tuff outcrop. It includes Etruscan necropolises and the ruined Renaissance city of Castro. The ancient site of Visentium lies in the surroundings of Ischia Di Castro. The Etruscan necropolises and the ruined Renaissance city of Castro thus represent two different historical layers within the same archaeological area. Tuff appears here in two forms: as the tuff outcrop of the archaeological area of Castro and as the tuff cavity of the Eremo di Poggio Conte.

The Eremo di Poggio Conte is also locally known as the Romitorio. It is an example of a church built in the Cistercian style, which monks carved into a tuff cavity in the 13th century. The six frescoes in the museum date from the 13th century; at the Eremo di Poggio Conte, monks carved a church into a tuff cavity in the same century.

Landscape between Forest and Lava Outcrops

Another side of Ischia Di Castro is represented by the SIC “Selva del Lamone IT 6010013”. It extends over 3,066 hectares in the municipalities of Ischia di Castro and Farnese. Its forest features widespread lava outcrops. For those interested in nature, the area combines its large extent with the widespread lava outcrops in the forest.

The natural landscape also includes the SIC “Monti di Castro IT 6010016”, which extends over 1,588 hectares in the municipality of Ischia di Castro, and the SIC “Il Crostoletto IT 6010014”, which covers 40.7 hectares. The areas range from 40.7 hectares at Il Crostoletto to 1,588 hectares at Monti di Castro and 3,066 hectares at Selva del Lamone.

The Santuario della Madonna del Giglio

The Santuario della Madonna del Giglio lies in the valley below the built-up center of Ischia di Castro, near the Fosso Cellerano, and is surrounded by Mediterranean maquis. The annual celebrations at the Santuario reach their climax on September 8.

Calendar and Areas

September 8 is the climax of the annual celebrations at the Santuario della Madonna del Giglio. The three SIC areas differ in size: Selva del Lamone covers 3,066 hectares, Monti di Castro 1,588 hectares and Il Crostoletto 40.7 hectares. Selva del Lamone is located in the municipalities of Ischia di Castro and Farnese.

More Destinations to Explore

Montalto Di Castro, Montalto Marina, Blera, San Martino Al Cimino, Vallerano, Civitella Dʼagliano, Canino, Lubriano

To the higher-level travel overview: Viterbo.