{"id":325,"date":"2019-06-29T06:12:33","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T06:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theyellowhouse-italy.com\/?page_id=325"},"modified":"2026-05-16T13:57:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:57:59","slug":"towns-and-cities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theyellowhouse-italy.com\/?page_id=325","title":{"rendered":"Towns and cities"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Civitella d’Agliano – medieval quarter
<\/strong>Distance 1.5km
Drive time \u2013 5 minutes<\/p>\r\n

Il Mulino dei Mestieri (The Mill of Trades) is a lovely little museum tucked away in an old underground olive mill in the medieval quarter of Civitella d\u2019Agliano. The museum houses several bicycles used in ingenious ways to provide produce and services to Italian peasant families between the 1930s and 1970s. The museum is open by appointment; to book a tour, contact Alessia whose passion for bicycles and history inspired her to create this charming collection. There is no charge for entry but contributions are welcome. Alessia – +39 328 3835348, location \u2013 next to 49 Via Roma and opposite 77 Via Roma.<\/p>\r\n

Sant\u2019Angelo di Roccalvecce – The Fairy Tale Village<\/strong> (Lazio)
<\/strong>Distance 7km
Drive time 10 minutes<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In 2017 Sant’Angelo began to transform itself from a semi-abandoned hamlet to a fairy tale village whose houses are now adorned with giant fairy tale murals. The project was supported by ACAS cultural association with the support of many local people and talented street artists.<\/p>\r\n

Castiglione in Teverina
<\/strong>Distance 12km
Drive time 20minutes<\/p>\r\n

The MUVIS “Museum of Wine and Agri-Food Sciences”\u00a0is the largest museum of its kind in Europe with\u00a02000 m\u00b2\u00a0of exhibition space, is located in the heart of the village of\u00a0Castiglione in Teverina<\/a>. Which is part of the National Association “Citt\u00e0 del Vino”. The museum is located within the vast and articulated production complex of the Counts Vaselli or in the\u00a0large cellar<\/a> distributed over 5 floors (1st floor, ground floor and 4 underground floors), no longer in use for almost 20 years.\u00a0
Open 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 14km
Drive time 20 minutes

The extraordinary “Dying City” is a 20 minutes drive from The Yellow House. Approximately 12 people live in the tiny group of houses that sit on top of a hill formed when the surrounding land crumbled away after earthquakes that started in 1695. It is now connected to Bagnoregio by a large footbridge; the views of the surrounding areas are spectacular. It is thought that Hayao Miyazaki’s animation ‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’ (1986) was in part inspired by Civita di Bagnoregio.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Il Borgo Fantasma (ghost village) – Celleno old town (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 14km
Drive time 20 minutes<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The medieval hilltop town in old Celleno was abandoned in the 1950s together with Castello Orsini. In recent years it has been restored, and artefacts of daily living discovered during excavation are now displayed for the public. The ghost town was used as a backdrop to the 2020 NetFlix series ‘Luna Nera’ (Black Moon).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The town of Bolsena (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 25km
Drive time 30 minutes<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Is a beautifully kept medieval town with some fascinating historical sites including Etruscan remains. There are several excellent restaurants and bars in the town and by the lake and some lovely artisan shops selling local products and hand-made goods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

“Bolsena, Everything You Need to Know” is the first comprehensive book written in English about Bolsena and the surrounding area, it was written by an English journalist staying in Bolsena in the Summer of 2003 and published in April 2004. Fleur gives a fascinating insight to the local customs and invaluable practical information about how to make the most of your stay<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Castle – Bolsena<\/strong>
The castle with its square plan and corner towers, has been completely restored and renovated.\u00a0 Since 1991 it has been the home of the\u00a0Museo Territoriale del Lago di Bolsena\u00a0(Lake Bolsena Territorial Museum) with three floors of exhibits and displays that cover the history of the area from the time it was an active volcano to the present day.\u00a0 The castle ramparts offer spectacular views of the town and Lago Bolsena.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Church of Santa Cristina – Bolsena<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Catacombs – church of Santa Cristina
Beneath the church of Santa Cristina is an impressive complex of paleochristian (c3rd-c6th) burials or catacombs, 9 deep and over 100m long with several lateral corridors. To access the catacombs visit the ticket office inside the church to the left, entry costs a small fee. Opening times vary and don’t always correspond to the advertised times, so check with the ticket office.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mysteries of Santa Cristina – Bolsena 23rd and 24th July.
Santa Christina is the patron saint of Bolsena. In the early 4th Century Christina’s father attempted to drown her and she was tortured in an attempt to dissuade her from following Christianity. Each year, on the evening of 23rd and the morning of 24th July silent scenes (tableaux vivants) from her life are presented on wooden stages around the town. At the end of the second day, an image of Santa Christina is seen floating away on the lake with the backdrop of fireworks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The tomb and relics of Santa Cristina
In the Grotto of Santa Cristina is a terracotta sculpture by Benedetto Buglioni, Santa Cristina lies on a tomb with a sculptural depiction of the rock used in an attempt to drown her at the age of 11. Below her sculpture is her tomb in which a 4th century sarcophagus is said to hold her relics. Also in the chapel, immortalised in a wall, are her footprints at the time of her failed drowning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Chapel of the Eucharistic Miracle – in the church of Santa Cristina
The Miracle of the Eucharist (celebrated as The Feast of Corpus Christi)
In 1263 a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at Bolsena while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He is described as a pious priest, but one who found it difficult to believe that Christ was present in the consecrated Host. While celebrating Holy Mass above the tomb of the martyr Saint Cristina (in Bolsena’s church Santa Cristina), he had barely spoken the words of Consecration when blood started to seep from the consecrated Host and trickle over his hands onto the altar and the corporal, the small cloth upon which the host and chalice rest during the Canon of the Mass. The priest was immediately confused.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

At first, he attempted to hide the blood, but then he interrupted the Mass and asked to be taken to the neighbouring city of Orvieto, the city where Pope Urbano IV was then residing. The Pope listened to the priest’s account and absolved him. He then sent emissaries for an immediate investigation. When all the facts were ascertained, he ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring to Orvieto the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of blood. With archbishops, cardinals and other Church dignitaries in attendance, the Pope met the procession and, amid great pomp, had the corporal relics placed in Orvieto cathedral where they are enshrined and exhibited today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Pope Urbano IV, a year later, in 1264, extended the feast to the whole Catholic world, the miracle is now celebrated as The Feast of Corpus Christi on the 9th Sunday after Easter.
In the Vatican the marvel is\u00a0commemorated\u00a0by\u00a0Raphael\u2019s\u00a0fresco \u201cThe Miracle at Bolsena\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In the church of Santa Cristina, the miracle is depicted in a painting by Francesco Trevisani<\/a> above the main altarpiece in the Chapel of the Eucharist. On the altar, a gilded frame, created in 1940 displays a blood-stained stone, said to be a relic of the miracle (The Eucharist itself is on display in the Orvieto Cathedral).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Infiorata (flower festival) – Bolsena
Each year on 9th<\/sup> Sunday after Easter, to celebrate the The Feast of Corpus Christi, the streets of Bolsena are lined with millions of flower petals arranged in intricate mosaics. A procession follows the path of flowers.
………………………………………………………………………….

Hyrangea festival – Bolsena
End of June, check with Cristina for dates.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fish festival – Bolsena
2nd weekend of July. Each year fish from the lake are cooked on barbecues along the shore of the lake accompanied by music and dancing.

Viterbo (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 28km
Drive time 35 minutes<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Is a beautifully preserved example of a walled, medieval city. In the 13th Century it was once home to the Pope. There are many spectacular buildings to see, including the Gothic Palazzo Papale and the cathedral, Chiesa di San Lorenzo. Viterbo is a 40 minute drive from The Yellow House. The main shopping street Corso Italia is a great place to shop for clothes, antiques and all things Italian. Shops are closed on Monday mornings and reopen at 4 or 5 depending on the season.

Tuscania (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 50km
Drive time 50 minutes

Tuscania is a small, picturesque medieval town with a history dating back to the Etruscan times and is best known for its medieval walls, towers and two imposing churches. It is a lovely place to explore before relaxing over lunch in one of the restaurants or bars.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tarquinia (Lazio)<\/strong>
Distance 73km
Drive time 1 hour 15 minutes

“Tarquinia is the pick of Lazio’s Etruscan towns. The highlight is the magnificent Unesco-listed necropolis and its extraordinary frescoed tombs, but there’s also a fantastic Etruscan museum (the best outside of Rome) and an atmospheric medieval centre.

Legend suggests that Tarquinia was founded towards the end of the Bronze Age in the 12th century BC. Later home to the Tarquin kings of Rome before the creation of the Roman Republic, it reached its prime in the 4th century BC, before a century of struggle ended with surrender to Rome in 204 BC.

Local information is available at the friendly tourist office in the town’s medieval gate.”\u00a0Lonely Planet Guide to Tarquinia<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Lugnano in Teverina (Umbria)<\/strong>
Distance 19km
Drive time 25 minutes

Lugnano is a charming medieval hilltop village and known for its\u00a0Romanesque gem from the 12th century, the <\/span>Church of Santa Maria Assunta,<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>or Collegiate Church, also<\/span> the 16th-century Palazzo Farnese-Ridolfi or “Pennone”. The restaurant La Trattoria di Bu on Via Mazzini is also well worth a visit. Close to the village are the Convent of San Francesco, built in 1229 to commemorate a miracle performed by St. Francis in Lugnano, and the Convent of Sant’Antonio or of the Cappuccini.\u00a0

Amelia (Umbria)
<\/strong>Distance 29 km
Drive time 35 minutes<\/p>\r\n

Amelia, a beautiful ancient city originally developed in pre-Roman times during 12th<\/sup>-11th<\/sup>\u00a0centuries BC, is surrounded by vast polygonal walls constructed during 4th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0century BC. \u00a0In 90 BC Amelia was used as a Roman military staging post. There is lots to see in Amelia including the cathedral, the Church of San Francesco and the Roman cisterns located under the Piazza Matteotti. \u00a0There is also the Archaeological Museum which holds the impressive bronze statue of Germanicus (nephew of the emperor Tiberius) and an art gallery displaying pictures removed from local churches and palaces. If you want to treat yourselves to a lovely lunch, look for La Locanda del Conte Nitto a delightful underground restaurant www.locandacontenitto.it<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Civitella del Lago (Umbria)<\/strong>
Distance 27km
Drive time 35 minutes<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

A well preserved, quiet hill top town with a spectacular view of lake Corbara and the surrounding area, one can just see the dome of Montefiascone Cathedral in the distance. There is a bar and restaurant where you can sit and enjoy the panoramic view.\u00a0 Civitella del Lago is about half way between Civitella d\u2019Agliano and Todi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Orvieto (Umbria)<\/strong>
Distance 28km
Drive time 40 minutes<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

“Sitting astride a volcanic plug of rock above fields streaked with vines, olive and cypress trees, Orvieto is visually stunning from the first. Like the love child of Rome and Florence and nestled midway between the two cities, history hangs over the cobbled lanes, medieval piazzas and churches of this cinematically beautiful city. And few cathedrals in Italy can hold a candle to its wedding cake of a Gothic cathedral, which frequently elicits gasps of wonder with its layers of exquisite detail”\u00a0\u00a0Lonely Planet Guide to Orvieto<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Parking in Orvieto<\/p>\r\n