The territory
Discover Castro's Tuscia Ischia.
Ischia di Castro is located in the northernmost area of Lazio, just under 40 km from the capital Viterbo.
Near the town, we find the Lake Bolsena and the Etruscan Necropolis of Castro, two places absolutely worth visiting for those who are passionate about nature and history.
Ischia di Castro is located at the center of an important and very interesting archaeological area, which receives numerous visitors every year. Alongside the Etruscan areas, some medieval rock settlements should also be remembered: the Hermitage of Poggio Conte, a rock church dating back to the 12th/13th century. and that of Chiusa del Vescovo.
There are also many interesting architectures present in the town, starting with the sacred and civil buildings, such as the Rocca Farnese.
The three lilies present in the coat of arms of the Municipality are in fact testimony to the long period in which the Castle of Ischia di Castro was part of the possessions of the Farnese family. This is then also confirmed by the name "di Castro", placed as a reference to the Duchy of Castro.
Access to the historic center is through the open arch under the Clock Tower, built at the end of the Rocca Farnese, one of the oldest residences of the Farnese family.
What to See in Ischia di Castro
Selva del Lamone
The Selva del Lamone Nature Reserve, established in 1994, is part of Parks and Reserves System of the Lazio Region.
It occupies an area of approximately 2000 hectares on the territory of Farnese, in the province of Viterbo on the border with Tuscany.
In this solitary corner of Upper Lazio one of the wildest forests in the world is preserved Tuscia, formed on a lava flow dating back to the period between 150,000 and 50,000 years ago.
90% of the protected area is occupied by forests, mostly pure or mixed oaks, while the remaining 10% is occupied by areas intended for agriculture.
The agricultural areas are occupied by meadows intended for grazing and olive groves and vineyards.
The southern border of the Lamone Reserve is marked for a long stretch by the Olpeta river, which forms two suggestive waterfalls (the Pelicotonno and the Salabrone) and on whose course grows a riparian forest of willows, alders and poplars.
Inside the Reserve area there are also important archaeological remains dating back to the Bronze Age, the Etruscan era and the Middle Ages; in fact, there are remains of fortified villages, shepherds' huts, stretches of Roman roads and a Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria di Sala, restored in 2013 - 2014 by will of the Reserve.
The Hermitage of Poggio Conte
The Hermitage of Poggio Conte is 20 km from the center of Capodimonte, between Valentano And Farnese.
The signs in the area indicate the brigands' path and a dirt road to walk along the banks of the Fiora river.
The surrounding valley is intended for grazing.
The river lies in a wide and stony bed in the heart of a very green valley, largely dedicated to grazing. In fact, it is common to encounter sheep and cattle grazing in the wild. Following the path that runs alongside the river, you reach a slightly impervious scrub area, the path of which is secured by some wooden beams.
The path ends by passing under a tufaceous ridge, which seems to enclose the sky as if it were the Pantheon of Rome. A small trickle of water flowing down a copious canopy of moss enriches the first impact. Looking up from the opposite side, you can observe the suggestive hermitage, a chapel dug into the tuff adorned with frescoes dating back to the 13th century.
According to some historical-artistic studies, the area was populated by a civilization of Cistercian Benedictine monks who were responsible for the excavations in the rock and the pictorial decorations. The frescoes present decorate the sails and arches of the rock church in floral compositions, lotus flowers and palmettes. But even more exciting are the numerous frescoes representing some apostles and unidentified characters.
The air preserves almost unchanged a monastic form of silence and respect, dedicated to meditation and prayer, towards an evangelical ideal far from any form of power.
A stairway path that climbs up the tuff ridge allows you to visit the charming little church and a subsequent room, where the hermit who lived there probably spent the night, as well as a panoramic view of the natural quarry which can be reached by meet this magnificent place.
History of Ischia di Castro
The origins of Ischia di Castro date back to the Etruscan period, of which there remain some testimonies of great historical and artistic importance.
However, it is thought that even in prehistoric times, the territory of Ischia di Castro was inhabited: some archaeological finds from the time have in fact been found along the banks of the Fiora river.
In the area there are also some testimonies from the Roman era, such as a rustic villa, in the locality of La Selvicciola.
But Ischia di Castro has seen various populations and cultures pass through, including that of the Lombards, traces of which can still be found in the names of some places in the surrounding countryside.
The town has also seen the succession of different dominations and lords. Just think, which was initially part of the heritage of San Pietro, the famous division that Pope Innocent III made of the ecclesiastical heritage, around the 11th century.
Subsequently Ischia di Castro saw as its lords owners Ranieri di Bartolomeo, owner of the castle, then the Ildebrandini Counts and at the end of the 13th century, the Farnese.
In medieval times, the village began to extend around the ancient fortress. It was precisely here that years later the Farnese family built their palace.
However, the domination of the Farnese was not always peaceful, in fact in 1395 the citizens of Ischia di Castro rebelled. The cause of the rebellion was the repeated abuses that Ischia women in particular suffered.
The revolt led to the killing of some members of the Farnese family and the imprisonment of others.' But the siege did not last long and the Farnese, it is said, with the help of the Lords of Cervara, regained the dominion of Ischia.
In 1537 Paolo III Farnese created the Duchy of Castro, entrusting its management to his son Pier Luigi. Castro was chosen as the capital of the Duchy.
The city was built by Antonio San Gallo the Younger. Thus a significant urban planning project was carried out.
Upon Sangallo's death in 1546, even though the city was almost finished, Pier Luigi moved to Piacenza. Here he was killed two years later. Since his father, Paul III, was now old, the dukedom passed into the hands of his other son, Ottavio.
However, Ottavio was unable to manage the assets entrusted to him.
In conflict with the Church, the Farnese managed to maintain dominion over Ischia di Castro until 1649, when Innocent X ordered the destruction of the City of Castro.
In this period Ischia di Castro was included within the Reverend Camera Apostolica.
From this moment on, the town became part of the Cimino department around the end of the 1700s and subsequently of that of Rome, at the beginning of the 19th century.
In the end, after a series of vicissitudes, the town was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1870, subsequently passing as the province of Rome, but only until 1927, when it instead became the province of Viterbo.
Events Ischia di Castro
- AMA Ischia party: the event is held at the end of July and on this occasion for 3 days the town hosts many initiatives related to Art, Music and Crafts (as per the acronym AMA).
- Trolley Grand Prix: in the second half of August, in Ischia di Castro, a very special race is held with handcrafted vehicles.
- Saint Hermes: on August 27th Sant' Ermete, the patron saint of the town, is celebrated with a solemn procession that crosses the town. The next day, after a blessing mass, some knights compete in the Gallinaccio carousel.
Typical products of Ischia di Castro
- DOP Canine Oil: the intense green color and the fruity flavor with a light aftertaste halfway between bitter and spicy make this oil a unique product, perfect for seasoning typical local dishes and more.