The best walks and hikes around Capodimonte

The Lungolago Amalasunta in Marta is a pleasant walk overlooking the waters of Lake Bolsena, in one of the villages that best preserves the tradition of lake fishing. The path runs along the harbor and the beach, where you can observe the typical fishing boats pulled up to shore or moored along the pier. These traditional boats, with their low, elongated profile and raised bow and stern, have a very ancient design, developed over the centuries to move easily through the lake and facilitate net work. Alongside the boats, you can often see the fishermen's nets, spread out to dry in the sun or collected on the docks. Among these are the martavelli, special conical traps with internal chambers that guide the fish inside without allowing them to escape.

Isola Martana is the smaller of the two islands in Lake Bolsena and lies directly in front of the town of Marta, which gives the island its name. Features and History * Size and Location: It is the smaller of the two volcanic islands in the lake and has an area of approximately 10.3 hectares. It is clearly visible from the town of Marta. * Volcanic Origin: Like the lake itself and its larger sister island (Isola Bisentina), Isola Martana was formed by underground volcanic eruptions. Its crescent-shaped shape and steep, north-facing cliffs are testament to its volcanic past. * Historical Significance: Isola Martana holds a rich and often dark history: * Saint Christina: According to legend, the relics of Saint Christina were hidden here around 410 AD to protect them from barbarian invasions before eventually being returned to Bolsena. * Queen Amalasuntha: The island is most famous for the tragic assassination of Amalasuntha, Queen of the Ostrogoths and daughter of Theodoric the Great, in 535 AD. She was reportedly imprisoned and then murdered here on the orders of her cousin and husband, Theodahad. This event served as a pretext for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian to launch the Gothic War to reconquer Italy. * Monastic past: The island once housed a monastery, which was later abandoned. * Private property: Today, Isola Martana is privately owned and not open to the public.

Lake Bolsena is a large volcanic lake in central Italy, about 90 km north of Rome in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, clear waters, and relaxed atmosphere. The lake was formed by the collapse of a caldera of the Vulsini volcano. This geological history contributes to its black volcanic beaches, some of which are black in color. Lake Bolsena is known for its clean, spring-fed waters, which are excellent for swimming. The shores often slope gently, making it suitable for families with children. The lake has two islands, Bisentina and Martana, formed by underwater eruptions. Public access to the islands may be limited, but boat tours often offer views of them.

A rose-shaped plaque commemorating Noëlla Nabonnand, born in 1901. This plaque is part of the Lazio Region's "Bella Bestia" project, dedicated to commemorating the history of Monte Bisenzio. The QR code on the plaque allows you to hear the story associated with this person or place. The plaque is located near Monte Bisenzio, an archaeological site with an ancient Etruscan city.

Piazza Matteotti is a central square in Capodimonte and an important meeting place for the community. The square is a junction where the Corso della Repubblica and the Via Cassia meet. The square also houses the former Church of San Francesco.

The tower was built around 1780. It is constructed of hewn tuff blocks. The mechanical clock in the tower struck the hours with the ringing of two bells. The Torre dell'Orologio is a historic landmark in Capodimonte.

Parish and Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo. Construction period: Built in the 15th century. Commissioner: Erected by Ranuccio III Farnese. Restoration: Restored in the 16th century under the direction of Vignola.

The arch, known as La Porticella, was the second access gate on the western side of the village of Capodimonte. Opposite are Monte Bisenzo and the island of Bisentina. The discovery of two Bronze Age canoes in the lake at the end of the 20th century testifies to fishing and trading activities dating back to prehistoric times. One of the canoes, recovered from the water and restored, is on display in the rooms of the Inland Navigation Museum on the lakeshore in Capodimonte. On Monte Bisenzo, there was a Villanovan (9th century BC) and then Etruscan settlement, which took the name Bisenzio. Its importance is attested by the wealth of finds from the numerous necropolises. Bisenzio was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC and elevated to the status of a municipality in 90 BC under the name Vesentium. A columbarium, La Piccionara, opens into the mountain and overlooks the lake toward the island of Bisentina. During the barbarian invasions, part of the population moved to the Capodimonte promontory. In the 10th century, a new settlement emerged there, initially called Vico Capomarta, later Castrum Capitis Montis, from which the present name Capodimonte is derived. In 1102, it was elevated to the status of a parish. The settlement of Bisenzio existed until the early decades of the 19th century, but was abandoned due to malaria. In 1816, it was united with Capodimonte by an edict of Pope Pius VII.