The
Lake of Bolsena (Viterbo) is the largest volcanic lake in Europe and the fifth
largest lake in Italy having a circunference of 42 km. The lake, situated 305
m above the sea level, is 12 km in diameter and has a maximum depth of 152 m.
Two islands, Bisentina and Martana, emerge from its limpid waters. Bisentina
island with its seven Oratories, the convent of St. James and St. Christopher
and its beautiful gardens is considered the major tourist attraction of the
lake, and was chosen to be the summer residence of the Popes in different eras
of its history. Martana island still preserves the remains of the fortress in
which queen Amalasunta, the daughter of king Theodoric of the Goths, in 535
was imprisoned and killed on the orders of her cousin and husband Theodorat.
The lake is rich in history as are the eight charming villages that nestle around
its shores. In recent years the lake has brought to light numerous archaeological
finds, including a pirogue carved from a single trunk, currently on exhibition in the Museum of Capodimonte. Please see "Lake Bolsena" Article in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
