Lake Bolsena and Montefiascone: A Day Trip

A few weeks ago I spent another week with my Italian friend Maria in Bracciano. A few friends there had planned to go to Lake Bolsena (Lago di Bolsena in Italian) for a day to soak up some history and culture and have a nice lunch in a typical trattoria.

the outward journey

At ten o'clock in the morning we leave with four ladies in a genuine Fiat Panda. Our driver and guide Daniela knows the way better than navigation could ever indicate and tears with us through mountains and valleys and along beautiful flower fields. She knows how to cut routes flawlessly with various shortcuts (shortcut) with beautiful views. And in the meantime, of course, there is animated talk and laughter.

Pasticceria on the way

After half an hour's drive, Daniela suddenly stops at a pasticceria panetteria, which is really in the middle of nowhere lies (In Mezzo Ai Campi). She is on a mission from a friend to get special sandwiches here, which are not made anywhere else. And promise is debt. So bring all curious ladies inside.

Dolci

It is a pleasure to look around here and inhale the smell of freshly baked bread and cookies. There are croissants (croissants) and cookies (cookies) in all shapes and sizes, which we can only dream of in the Netherlands and which will soon make your mouth water (your mouth is watering). I'll buy a jar of organic at the last minute hazelnut paste (hazelnut spread) and – gosh – there the ladies go again in the Panda. Bolsena is waiting for us…

More from Bolsena

After a good one and a half hour drive, we arrive in Bolsena and see the beautiful Lake Bolsena already glittering in the sun. We walk to the peaceful and cute historic center with the aim of having lunch in a great restaurant, which Daniela has visited before. But first, some sightseeing, because there is plenty of culture and heritage to admire in this town.

Trattoria tipica Da Picchietto

After a sightseeing tour, we settle down in this cozy and beautifully located restaurant in the Old Town from Bolsena. In the summer you can also eat in a beautiful courtyard. We are welcomed with open arms and of course we had to toast our outing with a fresh and excellent white regional wine; the famous Estonia! Estonia!! Estonia!!! from Montefiascone.

Organic dishes

The products are all from our own organic cultivation and we choose a delicious ravioli with donkey and sage (butter and sage) and grilled vegetables (grilled vegetables). For dessert we have a nice piece of ice cream cake. A great lunch for a great price. Highly recommended for those who are going to Lake Bolsena this summer.

Santa Cristina di Bolsena

Studying a bit of history about the place you are is always interesting. For example, Bolsena has Saint Cristina and she is still omnipresent in the various churches in the form of statues and images.

Fate

This beautiful girl was eleven years old when her father Urbano (as an officer in the service of Emperor Diocleziano) had her tied up in the year 304 and thrown into the Lake with a heavy stone around her neck, because she was a Christian and refused to give it up. to give.

tre angelic

However, she was protected by three angels (angeli), who kept the stone above water, so that the girl resurfaced and thus was saved from drowning. A miracle had happened. Her father Urbano could not bear to see this and died on the spot. Sadly, Santa Cristina was imprisoned again and eventually died a horrific martyr's death.

I mystery of Santa Caterina

Every year on July 23 and 24, the mystery of Santa Cristina di Bolsena is still reenacted in the city. An impressive spectacle, as Italians master this art.

Discovery of the wine Est! Estonia!! Estonia!!!

This wine has a special story about its discovery. In the year 1111, Heinrich V from Germany was on his way to Rome with a large retinue, to receive a crown from Pope Pasquale II. The Bishop Johannes Defuk, also a connoisseur and great lover of good wine among the company, had the Schenker sent Martino ahead to find the best wines on the route.

Secret code

If the wine was of good quality, the messenger would write the code 'est' (there is) on the doorpost of the inn. If the wine was of very good quality, he would leave the code 'est est'.

Montefiascone on Lake Bolsena

When Schenker Martino arrived in Montefiascone and tasted the local wine, he decided to try three Estonia! Estonia!! Estonia!!! with a total of six exclamation marks to write on the door frame. The bishop tasted the wine on arrival in Montefiascone and decided to stay an extra 3 days. On the return journey from Rome, he decided to stay here until his death.

La Chiesa di San Falviano

The Bishop is buried in the church of San Flaviano, where on a gray stone is an inscription that reads: 'Because of too much EST!, Monsignor Johannes Defuk rests here.'

In thanks for the hospitality he received in the city, he left a legacy of 24.000 coins. On the condition that a barrel of wine should be poured over his grave every year on the day of his death. This tradition has continued for centuries.

Return journey from Lake Bolsena

After a wonderful day, we drove back in the evening with a satisfied feeling, from Lake Bolsena, through the beautiful mountains and valleys of Viterbo, to the equally beautiful Lake Bracciano, looking back on a precious day.