Lake Bolsena ( Lazio Region )

The fifth largest lake in Italy, 304m above sea level, approx 12 km long & 14 km wide, and approx 150m depth, it lies on the borders of Tuscany and Lazio approx 100km north of Rome. The lake is formed in the crater of an extinct volcano, the waters are crystal clear and the beach consist of fine volcanic sand.

The Miracle of Bolsena
Bolsena  came to fame in 1263 with the  “Eucharistic Miracle“.
A young Bohemian priest from Prague on his pilgrimage to Rome stopped in Bolsena for the night,whilst celebrating mass during the consecration of the host, he was astonished to see blood pouring out from the host, staining the altar linen and steps at the base of the altar.
The event had such a tremendous impact on the Christian world that Pope Urban IV inaugurated the Feast of Corpus Domini, which is still celebrated throughout the Catholic world today. Several of the relics - drops of blood on the altar stones and vestments from the miracle, are housed in the Vatican and in the cathedral in Orvieto. Three centuries later, Raphael painted this event on a wall of the Stanza di Eliodoro part of the Vatican Museum .

The Church of St. Christine
A Romanesque church built in 1078 over the catacombs where St.Christine, a young woman martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The church is composed of three separate segments: early Christian catacombs from the 4th century, the basilica built in the 11th century and the "new" Chapel of the Miracle built in 1693 to commemorate the miracle.

The Rocca Monaldeschi
The castle sits at the top of the hill, overlooking the medieval town. The castle was built between the 12th & 14th centuries. It has been completely renovated and since 1991 has become a Museum. Each of its three floors is dedicated to various aspects of Bolsena's history, ranging from its prehistoric volcanic origins to its Etruscan- Roman period. From the castle there is a stunning view of the lake.

Bisentina & Martana Islands
Both islands are privately owned and Martana is not open to the public .
Bisentina is an ex-summer residence of the Popes and has a church. There are also seven small chapels built around the island. The chapels were originally built, to make it easier for the local people to get a plenary indulgence, during the Holy Year instead of going all the way to Rome and having to visit each of the seven major basilicas in Rome to gain the indulgence, instead they could pray in these chapels on the Bisentina. Nowadays both islands are used for wedding receptions, business conferences ,concerts and other cultural events.