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NATURE
Muraccio is situated on the banks of Lake Bolsena (the largest
and cleanest of all the volcanic lakes in Europe) and visitors
can enjoy the most spectacular and wholly uncontaminated Nature.
From the banks of the Lake can sometimes be seen magpies, herons
and coots while fishing, as well as royal wild ducks and pairs
of swans. In the woods there are doves, rooks and bee-eaters at
times.
Visitors may go for a walk or a bicycle ride in the hills all
around or in Tarona Park. Or else make a more complete
naturalistic excursion to several spots within easy reach: to
Calanchi Park in the Valley of Civita di Bagnoregio, an example
of clay erosion; to the nature reserves of Lake Vico and Monte
Rufeno; to the beechwood of Cimino; or to the animal sanctuaries
of Alviano, Vulci; Burano or Orbetello.
Another interesting phenomenon is the large number of spa waters:
the “Bullicame” and the “Bagnaccio” in Viterbo spout sulphuric
water at 90° C. withhealing properties that are virtually
miraculous; at Saturnia, water flows out at a constant
temperature of 37° C. and forms lovely cascades making an
immensely popular spot for bathing visitors in the summer and in
wintertime as well. More thermal waters can be found at Bagno
Vignoni, just a few kms. Along the Cassia, after Acquapendente.
The little towns facing onto Lake Bolsena are lively and full of
interest: Marta, Capodimonte and Montefiascone.
Nearby is Monte Amiata with its woods where ski-ing can be
practised in wintertime.
The sea is not far away either, with Monte Argentario and Porto
Ercole.
ART
Every town in Tuscia has its own castle, church and history.
Interesting excursions can be made to the Island of Bisentina
standing in the middle of the Lake with its church designed by
Vignola, to Orvieto, just 20 kms. away with its splendid
Cathedral, and to Tuscania with its beautiful Romanesque
churches and remains from Etruscan times.
Renaissance palaces and villas: Villa Lante in Bagnaia and the
Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola; also the Medieval quarter in
Viterbo and Bomarzo with its “Park of Monsters”.
Those with a passion for modern art might pay a visit to the
Tarot Garden by Niki de Saint Phalle, near Capalbio, or to
Daniel Spoerri’s garden on the slopes of Monte Amiata.
It’s also worth remembering that Bolsena is about a hundred kms.
from Rome, Siena, Assisi, Perugia and Spoleto, all of which can
be easily visited on day trips, Rome and Florence by a
comfortable train journey.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Muraccio stands over the ruins of ancient Roman walls and is
surrounded by large stones that prove there was once an ancient
construction there.
Bolsena still boasts much evidence of its past in Etruscan and
then in Roman times (parts of the ancient Forum can be visited)
and finally from the age of Christianity: the Basilica of St.
Christina and its catacombs, and the relics of the Miracle of
the Eucharist.
But the whole of the area round about is full of archaeological
and Medieval sites.
The Etruscan tombs at Tarquinia are famous and in Sovana, Sorano
and Pitigliano there are Etruscan tombs and roads cut into the
tuff in the untouched countryside.
Besides the animal sanctuary in Vulci, there is a fine Medieval
castle and the hazardous Medieval Bridge of the Devil, as well
as remains from Roman times.
Other places of great interest are Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio
and the Roman theatre at Ferento (where performances are staged
in the summer months).
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