The Lake Bolsena or Bolsena lake is a lake in the region Lazio in the middle Italy, 90 km north of Rome. The almost circular lake with its clean water is a popular holiday destination.
background
The almost circular one Lake Bolsena, it measures 13 x 11 km in its extension, the area corresponds to 114 km², is due to the collapse of a huge volcanic crater resp. an underground magma chamber about 300,000 years ago; the last volcanic activity created the two islands a good 100,000 years ago Isola Bisentina and Isola Martana.
Thanks to restrictive development plans and targeted promotion of gentle tourism, a largely natural holiday region has emerged around Lake Bolsena at a short distance from the Italian capital. The area is dominated by agriculture and the villages bordering the lake by fishing.
history
In the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age, the lake shore was already settled, at that time the lake level was around 294 m and the Isola Martana could be reached as a peninsula with dry feet. Later in the Copper and Bronze Ages between 2,000 and 1,000 BC. The lake shores were intensively settled (e.g. in the area of Gran Carro and Montefiascone).
During the time of the Tuscan Villanova culture, Iron Age settlements were founded at Vesentum (Bisenzio, on the west bank) and Velzna (Volsini); as the lake level rose slowly and the pile dwellings at Gran Carro flooded near Bolsena, the pile dwellers had to settle their settlements in the 9th century. B.C. give up.
When the lake level rose to 306 m during the time of the Etruscans, who had founded numerous settlements in the surrounding hill country, the only drainage through the Marta river in the south was expanded and the level was regulated in this way. Settlements were among others in Civita Grotte di Castro founded north of today's Bolsena, in Bolsena and Montefiascone and on the island of Bisentina. Between 281 and 264 BC. the Etruscans had to bow to the Roman conquerors and many of their settlements were razed to the ground.
landscape
The lake is lined with relatively steep slopes and cliffs, especially in the northeast, and is embedded in the Tuscia hills. The lake is fed by groundwater and rainwater, it now has small tributaries; The lake is drained by the Marta river. Since the lake level rose over the centuries, the place was already in the Etruscan period Marta the rock around the Marta river has been artificially lowered. The lake level has been artificially regulated since that time, today by the system of Traversa sul Marta with a weir system so that the lake level remains stable at 304 m.
The 1 Bisentina Island With a surface area of 17 hectares, there is beautiful vegetation with ancient holm oaks, various churches and chapels have been built here, the best are the Chiesa del Monte Calvario (Calvary) and the Chiesa della Crocefissione (Crucifixion Church) with frescoes from the 15th century. receive; the former Chiesa dei Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo del Vignola and the octagonal Chiesa Rocchina. Various popes have visited the island as a summer residence since the 18th century. the island has always been privately owned.
On the rocky 2 Isola Martana According to legend, the daughter Cristina, who had converted to Christianity, was imprisoned by the Roman prefect of Bolsena in Roman times. After her death as a martyr, the relics of the Saint Cristina Brought from Martana Island to Bolsena, where the Basilica di S. Cristina was built. Later on, the kingdoms of Amalasuntha of the Ostrogothic Empire were also held captive by their cousin Theodahad and later killed. Here you can still find the remains of an ancient fortress and the Chiesa di S. Stefano.
Both islands are privately owned and cannot be visited.
Flora and fauna
Freshwater fish are caught in the clean water of Lake Bolsena, due to the black-sand beaches in the former volcanic area, the water can appear dark and cloudy: the most important is that Coregone (Whitefish or vendace), more recently a bashart (Persico trota) and the catfish have been used. The Latterino, a whitefish that can grow up to 13 cm long is fried at the fishermen's festival Sagra del latterino estimated; is very well known Anguillo, the eel that, according to Dante Alighieri's report, was served at the revelations of Pope Martin IV. The tinca, a loop with countless small bones, is an important part of the fusch soup Sbroscia.
The reed-covered banks are breeding areas for the little bittern, the great reed warbler and the pond warbler; Herring gulls are numerous. Coots, grebes and tufted ducks nest on the banks; in the forests of the area the brown harrier and the cormorant.
In addition to frogs and toads, which are loudly attracting attention, grass snakes and, for some time now, beaver rats (nutria) live on the shores.
Many parts of the shore are covered with reeds, alder trees, poplars and willows grow on the lake shore; in the water carnations, arrowheads and water hemp.
climate
At Lake Bolsena there is a Mediterranean climate, the winters are mild, and snow rarely falls. Comfortable travel temperatures prevail from May to September.
getting there
By plane
The closest international airport is the one Rome Fiumicino Airport, the one served by charter flights and low-cost airlines Rome Ciampino Airport is located south of Rome on the motorway ring.
By train / bus
With the trains of the Ferrovia dello Stato / Trenitalia you can from Milan or Rome coming over Orvieto arrive, from there you take the bus E652 the bus company FS BusItalia.
In the street
From the autobahn 
Milan - Florence - Rome coming here you take the exit 
Orvieto, from there the city becomes Orvieto drive around in the south on the SP42, then take the SR 71, with the PW you can go to the 
right after on a winding road Bolsena go down, heavier vehicles make the short detour via the 
.
On the 
- 
and 
you can go around the whole lake with the different villages without straying too far from the lake.
mobility
The area around Lake Bolsena is a popular area for hikes and especially for bike tours, the lake can easily be circled in one day by bike, only in the northeast between Montefiascone and Bolsena does the route rise far above the lake level due to the steep cliffs.
The pilgrim path of the Via Francigena from English Channel until after Rome leads over Bolsena and Montefiascone continue after Viterbo towards Rome.
Motor boats up to a length of 7.5 m and sailing boats up to 10 m are permitted on the lake, harbors can be found in Bolsena, Capodimonte, Marta and on the lakeshore below Montefiascone. Of Bolsena from being of the Navigazione Alöto Lazio Tours on the lake are offered.
If you don't want to go to the individual villages by bike, you have to rely largely on your private vehicle to visit, and on the narrow streets around the lake you always have to expect broad mobile homes to come.
Sights / major localities
- 1 Bolsena : The town with the pilgrim church Basilica S. Cristina on the northeast side of the lake is the center of the region, here you can find shops, restaurants, hotels and numerous campsites.
- 2 Capodimonte: Port around a fortress on a rock spur on the south bank of Lake Bolsena.
- 3 Marta: Fishing village at the southern end of the lake, where the Marta river leaves the lake.
- 4 Montefiascone: town on a ridge with a pilgrim church, center of the wineries EST! EST !! EST !!!
activities
- Hiking and biking around the lake
- Bathing and swimming in the lake, others prefer to fish
shop
Self-caterers can find shops in Bolsena, also in Capodimonte and Montefiascone.
kitchen
Local specialties are mainly fish dishes, such as fish soup Sbroscia and Coregone with a sauce made from capers and pickled vegetables.
accommodation
Hotels and bed and breakfast offers can be found in Bolsena, also in Capodimonte and Montefiascone; numerous Campsites extend from Bolsena on both sides of the lake.
security
Overall, the security situation is harmless.
trips
literature
- Lake Bolsena - a journey of discovery, Andrea Viaggiante, Annuli Editori, I-01025 Grotte di Castro, German-speaking guide
