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Gradoli


Gradoli is a pretty little medieval village on the northern side of Lake Bolsena. It is located on a tuff hill at 475 metres above sea level and is surrounded by beautiful woods.
  • Village on a lake
  • Village with castle
  • Suitable for disabled people
  • Camper parking area
  • Authentic Italian villages
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About the village

Historical notes
Gradoli, formerly known as Castrum Gradolorum, has its origins in the distant past. The first evidence dates back to 1113 when the territory, before being donated to the Papacy, belonged to Matilde di Canossa. Over time, the village became the scene of countless conflicts and stability was only achieved with the arrival of the Farnese family.
Moreover, Gradoli owes its current name to the castle built in the "Pergola" area and reachable only through a steep staircase called "gradus".

What to see in the village
The jewel in the town's crown is, without a shadow of a doubt, its historic centre where the Palazzo or Rocca Farnese stands. The 16th century building was designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane and used as the summer residence of Pope Paul III and the Farnese family.
The interior of the palace features elegant frescoes and houses the Museo del Costume Farnesiano, which displays weapons, utensils and clothing of the period.
The tour continues to the nearby Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maddalena which, after a fire, was rebuilt in Baroque style and consecrated in 1708.

Leaving the old town centre, on the road to Latera, you come to the Church of San Vittore, which stands on the remains of a Roman palace along the road that joined Bisenzio and Sovana. Also worth a visit is the Church of San Magno, located on the shore of Lake Bolsena, built at the request of the Order of the Knights of Malta in the 14th century.
Of the ancient castle, on the other hand, built in the 'Pergola' area, only a few traces can be seen today, such as a round defensive tower, the entrance arch and part of the walls.

Gradoli in celebration
The village hosts two very suggestive events: the Purgatory lunch and the Tentavecchie. On Shrove Tuesday, not only the traditional Carnival masks, but also hooded men dressed in black parade through the village streets. The Incappucciati, members of the Confraternita del Purgatorio, remind everyone of the end of Carnival and the entrance to Lent, accompanied by penance and fasting. The Incappucciati also knock on house doors to collect offerings (salami, cheese, sausage) to be auctioned off in the town square. The proceeds are used to organise the Purgatory Lunch, which is held on Ash Wednesday and during which mercy is asked for the souls in Purgatory.
The event of the Tentavecchie is held in the first days of January and young people parade through the village streets making a tremendous noise with lids, pots, cowbells and so on. According to an old legend, they want to wake up the befana to remind her to bring gifts to the children. The noise, according to other tales, was useful to hide Jesus' tears so that he would not be found by Herod.

Typical products of Gradoli
If you go to Gradoli you must try the Aleatico, a sweet wine with which the Etruscans fell in love. Then there are the tender white Purgatory beans, an excellent extra virgin olive oil and Grechetto wine.

Village of Gradoli
Municipality of Gradoli
Province of Viterbo
Lazio Region
Inhabitants: 1 301gradolesi
Altitude centre: 470 m s.l.m.

the municipality is part of:
Borghi Autentici d'Italia

Municipality
Piazza Luigi Palombini, 2 - tel: 0761 456082
= distances as the crow flies

BY CAR

  • On the motorway, the nearest exits to the centre of Gradoli are:
    - Orvieto exit (A1 Autostrada del Sole - Milan-Naples)
    - Fabro exit (A1 Autostrada del Sole - Milan-Naples)

BY TRAIN
To get to Gradoli by train, the nearest station is: 

  • Orvieto station
  • Viterbo Porta Fiorentina Station

BY AIR
The nearest airports to Gradoli are those of:

  • Perugia Airport

Sleep, eat, buy...

= distances as the crow flies

Events

from
friday
3
january, 2025
to sunday 5 january 2025

Tentavecchie

wednesday
14
may, 2025

San Vittore

from
monday
21
july, 2025
to wednesday 23 july 2025

Santa Maria Maddalena

from
friday
25
july, 2025
to sunday 3 august 2025

Aleatico Festival

monday
18
august, 2025

San Magno

Our news about Gradoli

Imagine yourself walking along a path surrounded by unspoiled nature, as the scent of the lake and the echo of its mysteries envelop you in an exciting embrace. In front of you, ancient villages seem to emerge from a dream, allowing you to dive into a world of charm, history and centuries-old traditions. This is the adventure that awaits you in the heart of Lazio, a land of enchanting lakes and hidden villages that will make you fall in love a...
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