Civita di Bagnoregio: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy!

Discover with us the medieval city of Civita di Bagnoregio: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy! Trip to the Lazio in the heart of history.

Geography

We're taking you away. Civita di Bagnoregio in the province of Viterbo of the region Latium . The village is at the top of a rocky sparrow that dominates two deep ravines dug by erosion. Indeed, two gorges with very poetic names: the Fossé du Torrent Trouble and Fossé du Torrent Clair They'll put the top tray in their arms.

From this particular geological situation there is a constant threat: the landslides have never been missing here. ♪ cliffs abrupts let fall blocks of tuf, but on these blocks build buildings. The same strategic and picturesque situation, which through the millennia made this village a flourishing and charming crossroads, now weighs like a sword of Damocles.

The village of Civita is only accessible through a long pedestrian pass linking it to the more recent village Bagnoregio . In the past, Civita was the center and Bagnoregio the periphery, nowadays the situation has reversed. Civita has only ten inhabitants: people of character, determined to maintain this living and vibrant land .

History

Let's start from the toponymy, the name "Bagnoregio" obviously retains traces of its etymology. It is assumed that it originates from the Latin low “Balneum Regis”, in reference to a case of the eighth century: the legend tells that a Lobster king received great property from a thermal spring of the Valle dei Calanchi around the city.

But let us return to the origins: the first to settle here were the Etruscans , about 25 centuries . The place then became an important step along ancient commercial routes between the lake of Bolsena and the valley Tiber . After centuries of prosperity, the decline of Civita began in the 16th century because of a terrible earthquake that severely damaged the buildings, which forced many inhabitants to leave.

At the end of the 17th century, the bishop and the municipal government were forced to move to Bagnoregio. In the 19th century, Civita gradually turned into a real islet. Bagnoregio is still a small but prosperous city, while Civita is now known as the city that dies . So described it Bonaventura Tecchi , famous native writer of the place. In recent years, however, wakes up the hope of a turning point, Civita is indeed going through a real tourist renaissance!

This charming medieval town contains a rich architectural heritage. The isolation allowed him to resist modern intrusions and conflicts. Despite his nickname macabre, Civita is more than alive! It fills with visitors during the tourist seasons.

What to see in Civita di Bagnoregio?

Porte Santa Maria

The door Santa Maria also Porta Cava is the only remaining of the old gates of urban habitat. It bears witness to a rich past thanks to its exceptional state of conservation. This spectacular monument welcomes travellers with open arms, it is also the Main access in town. It was the Etruscans who, in ancient times, formed it in the tuf. The structure was then subjected to enlargement and beautification during the medieval period, including the addition of the gothic arch and the superb loggia at the top.

If you have the chance to visit Civita di Bagnoregio, you can also observe two bas-reliefs very evocative alongside the front arc. They represent lions that tighten in their claws anthropomorphic heads. However, it is not a simple architectural ornament but rather a symbolic commemoration of a local revolt occurred in 1457. The inhabitants of Civita di Bagnoregio rebelled in the invasive power of the seigneurs Monaldeschi, the feudary guelfes of Orvieto . The insurgents received satisfaction and fixed their memory in the stone.

The Bucaione

Among the things to see in Civita di Bagnoregio, we find the famous Bucaione . This local expression means a Monumental gallery dug in the tuf. It was in fact enlarged during the last century on the basis of an ancient Roman aqueduct, with the intention of making it practicable to the attelages. This hypogee, which also experienced notable events in wartime, mainly guaranteed direct access to the valley from the centre of the town (determining advantage in case of siege). This is where we left for cultivated fields orange and saffron . This place full of history is joined by crossing the village towards the swallow. Don't miss him!

Cave and home of San Bonaventura

Maybe you've already heard about Bonaventure de Bagnoregio , philosopher and theologian known as Doctor Seraphicus lessons learned Sorbonne . He was also one of the fathers of the order of the Franciscan monks and wrote the most important biography of François d’Assise (la Legenda Maior ), from which the great Giotto for his frescoes of Assisi. Well, in Civita di Bagnoregio, you find yourself in the exact place where he spent his childhood and his first years of study at the convent of San Francesco Vecchio .

In a very old tuf hypogee is an unforgettable sacred place. Under the viewpoint a cave first served as a Etruscan tomb and then was transformed into a Christian chapel. The Hagiographic legend tells us that in this cave, François d’Assisi miraculously heals a child named Giovanni Fidanza, to whom he will give the name of Bonaventura.

We invite you decidedly to search among the houses of the village the one that was the homelessness Saint Bonaventure. There is now only a ruin hanging in the void, which nevertheless allows to feel the soul of the place where the saint grew, the sensations that followed him along his journeys into the world from these magical and remote places.

Holy places

Church of San Donato

The church of San Donato sits on the square of beaten earth, opposite the communal palace. This setting dates back to the Vè century, with a facade of the Renaissance , contains a spectacular wooden crucifix of the Renaissance, very evocative. It is said that this work covers different meanings depending on the angle of view of which one looks at it. Christ seems alive seen from across, agonizing from the left and serenely absorbed in death from the right. The bell tower also contains two ancient Etruscan sarcophages. This place is a must in Civita di Bagnoregio. Go deny the mysteries!

Chapelle de la Madonna del Carcere, the Virgin of the Prison

This ancient Etruscan troglodytic tomb was then used by the peasant civilization. From the whole neighborhood Contrada Carcere which fell into the valley because of the earthquake of 1695, only this moving chapel dedicated to the Madonna .

Geological Museum

It is not by chance that Museo Geologico e delle Frane is here, in the Palazzo Alemanni on San Donato Square. This didactic space tells the geological history Bagnoregio and its surroundings. It will allow you to fully understand the source of so much charm in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Lake Bolsena

This beautiful lake of Tuscie is one of the most beautiful in Central Italy and the largest lake of volcanic origin in Europe . It is only 25 minutes by car from Bagnoregio, to see absolutely!

How to reach Civita di Bagnoregio?

The first step would be to go to Orvieto, for example in train (approximately 2 hours from the train station) Rome Finished and 3 hours Florence ). Once you arrive in Orvieto, a bus will take you to Bagnoregio in 20 minutes. If you prefer to go by Viterbo, there is also a bus that goes to Bagnoregio in 40 minutes. Do not hesitate to consult them schedule of COTRAL lines !

If you choose to move around car , count about 2h of Rome, 3h of Florence, and 1h30 of Perugia . Here are some road signs for you: Coming from the North on the A1 motorway exit at Orvieto (18 km for Bagnoregio, about 25 min). Coming from the South on the A1 motorway exit at Attigliano (30 km for Bagnoregio, about 35min). We advise you to follow the department Strada Provinciale 19 ‘Valle del Tevere’ and Strada Provinciale 5 ‘Teverina’ passing by Castiglione in Teverina .

Buy your ticket for Civita di Bagnoregio

Access to the old centre is made by the strength of things on one side and by the pedestrian bridge. It is necessary to buy a ticket at the fixed price 5 euros per person. It's better to park piazzale Battaglini then reach the town either in 15 minutes walk or with the shuttle to the viewpoint. The ticket can buy anything at the Mercatello ticket office, near the bridge. In the days of major affluence (week-end and public holidays) the ticket office will also be opened piazzale Battaglini .

If you want to organize yourself quietly in advance, here is the link to buy them tickets for Civita di Bagnoregio .

It will also be possible to benefit from free entry for persons with disabilities, children under the age of 6, journalists, tourist guides and hosts of residents or hotels in the town of Civita di Bagnoregio.

Where to sleep in Civita di Bagnoregio?

You will surely find a suitable place for you in one of the accommodation in Civita di Bagnoregio . There are hotels both in the most recent part of the village and in the old center, to you to choose.

Dear travelers, you now have the keys in hand to explore this historic village among the most beautiful in Italy. Go on adventure, tell us your sensations, your experiences in Civita di Bagnoregio!