Trip to Civita di Bagnoregio: the city that dies… ancient medieval village at 1 hour from Rome
Bagnoregio is a commune of ancient origins, part of the province of Viterbo, in Lazio. The Commune is situated in the Volsini Mountains, east of Lake Bolsena, between the Lubriano and Rio Torbido dunes, on the border between Lazio and Umbria.
In this area, there are many testimonies that date back to Etruscan times. Bagnoregio was conquered by the Romans in 265 a. C., but to the collapse of the Empire, the settlement was dominated by Visigoths, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks, who gave it to the Pope’s temporal power. Later he was consecrated to the Monaldeschi Counts of Cervara, who turned out to be unsuitable for the task and forced the city to revolt, which resulted in the establishment of the Free Commune around 1160.
Bagnoregio knows Franciscan preaching in the 13th century, and gives the Order its second founder: San Bonaventura. In 1922 a Royal decree changed its name from the dialect Bagnorea to Bagnoregio. The ancient Borgo di Civita is a true jewel of the historic and architectural heritage of the area. It is accessed only by a long bridge overhanging the erosion that leads to medieval Porta Santa Maria.
Regio’s traditional economy was mainly based on rural activities, particularly in the production of grapes, wheat and olives, although cattle and sheep breeding were also present. Afterwards, the Wizards have succeeded in developing all areas of the economy: within the industry are noted the plastic and stone extraction sectors.
The influx of tourism has stimulated trade. Local food and wine is typical of the Tuscia area and Etruscan hills of Viterbia. The hazelnuts and the special cherries are very good, listing them in the list of the typical Italian products with the name “Cherry of Celleno”, named after the hamlet of Bagnoregio. Meats are very valuable and are often transformed into sausages and high-quality salami.
Bagnoregio is the homeland of piciarelli, wild boar, porcini mushroom and truffles. Despite the small size of the City, some events are organized annually, including the traditional one of Tonna: Donkey Run with Jockey, which is held in June. Much awaited is Civit’Arte or a review of theater, art, history and music of international relevance; Is held in August.
The Festa del Bosco, instead, is organized in October by Pro Loco and is a well-known event in the center of Italy for the promotion of the Chestnut of the Valley. Not to be missed is also the Fair of the Good Council, which is held the second Sunday after Easter, is one of the oldest in Lazio. Currently it is a fair of various goods that takes place in the old town.