Il Castello Monaldesci, XII sec.
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Bolsena is famous for the miracles of St.Cristina, who was cruelly tortured because of her deep Christian faith and observation of religious rites.
Cristina's martyrdom was carried on by several persecutors who died one by one during tortures in retaliation.
Cristina died only when they pierced her heart.
An extraordinary event, famous all over the world, happened at Bolsena in 1263: in S.Cristina cave blood miraculously started to gush out of unleavened bread when a priest split it up during Mass, and stained the altar.
This miracle was consecrated by pope Urbano IV by the feast of Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi).
Interesting sights:
Basilica di S. Cristina, XII sec.
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Church of St. Cristina: XI cent., where paintings, canvases, frescoes and sculptures of several ages are kept. In the miracle's chapel, three stones marked by the miracle's blood are venerated, as well as the miracle's altar with the footprints of St.Cristina, who stood upright on the lake.
The tomb and catacombs are reached from the cave.
Open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 and 4.00 to 8.00 p.m. in summer, and from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 and 3.00 to 6.00 p.m. in winter.
St. Cristina catacombs: open from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 and from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in summer, and from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 and from 3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. in winter. For information, call 0761/799067.
St.Francesco Church: XIII century.
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Museo Territoriale di Bolsena
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Monaldeschi castle: XII century: overlooking the village, it is the seat of the Territorial Museum, that includes pre-historic archaeological records, surveys on the territory and mediaeval finds.
Summer opening hours: 9 a.m.-1.00 p.m., 4.00 to 8.00 p.m. every day; winter opening hours: only on Saturdays 2.30-6.30 p.m. and on Sundays 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.30 to 6.30 p.m. Close on Mondays. For information, call +39-761-798630. Archaeological area: about 1 km far from the village, a well-preserved Roman settlement is found.
Palazzo del Drago: dating back to Renaissance, is an example of elegant Tuscan architecture.
The palace can be visited upon agreement by the owner, prince Del Drago,
tel. +39-761-799393.
Bolsena Lake
It is the largest volcanic lake in Italy.
Two islands emerge from its deep waters:
Martana, where Amalasuentha, the queen of Ostrogoths was killed, and Bisentina, full of charming sights, that can be reached by boat from Bolsena.
Interesting sights: Gradoli, Marta, Montefiascone.
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