Bolsena Lake and Bisentina Island

With an area of 114 square kilometers, Bolsena Lake is the largest volcanic lake in Europe. There are actually islands near the southern coast: Martana and Bisentina islands, remains of ancient erupted cones. It is called "the lake you can drink from" for its transparent and limpid waters, which fishermen use for cooking "la Sbroscia" the characteristic local fish soup. By renting a canoe you can enjoy the nature and history in full that surface from the waters of the lake. By renting a canoe you can fully enjoy the nature and history that break the surface of these waters. There are two routes that we recommend:
1) Leave from Capodimonte and coast the shores until reaching the archaeological site of Monte Bisenzio; disembark at a very narrow street and go up the slope to visit the Archaeological Park.
2) Yet again, leave from Capodimonte and take the canoe out to the splendid and lush Bisentina Island and canoe around it.

Bisentina Island
The island is private property, but you can visit it. It is what remains of an erupted cone from the volcanic Volsino chain. It was inhabited by the Etruscans and by the Romans and was abandoned in the Middle Ages. In the 1500's the Farnese family purchased it and used it as a location for prayer and for pleasant pastimes. In 1516, Cardinal Alessandro commissioned the church of Saints Giacomo and Cristofaro to Vignola. In the 1700's it became property of the Girauld family, who transformed it into an English park. Today it is the property of princess Beatrice Spada Potenziani. Leaving from the extreme southern portion of the island, you will find "la Rocchina", the beautiful small temple to Santa Caterina built by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane on an Etruscan columbarium, which rises from a spur of rocky peak on the lake. Toward the north is the chapel of the Crucifix, on Mount Calvario with frescoes from the 15th century. In the center of the island is the horrible but interesting "Malta dei Papi", once the jail for clergymen guilty of heresy: a miserable and dark cell inside a hill, with only a little light filtering through a trap door 20 meters above. Finally there is Mount Tabor, where there are frescoes representing Pope Pius I and Pope Pius II and a transfiguration of Christ; from the rocky cliffs you are guaranteed a lovely panorama of the lake.