Discover Bolsena

Bolsena is a comune of 3,642 people in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, on the northern shore of the lake that carries its name. It lies 10 kilometres north-north-west of Montefiascone and 36 kilometres north-west of Viterbo, and the ancient Via Cassia — today's SR143 — follows the lakeshore for some distance, passing through the town.

It is known, in the English phrasing, as "the city of the Eucharistic miracle from which the solemnity of Corpus Domini had been extended to the whole Catholic Church". That is the single largest claim any town in this set makes, and it is the reason to come.

The lake is the other half. Lake Bolsena formed over 300,000 years ago through the caldera collapse of several volcanoes belonging to the Monti Volsini chain, and the comune's territory lies entirely between the lake shores and the heights that formed the rim of the ancient volcanic cone.

The town itself is Roman rather than Etruscan in foundation: after the Romans destroyed the older Etruscan city of Velzna — Volsinii — it was founded in 264 BC under the Latin name Volsinii Novi.

Its climate is generally mild thanks to the lake, and its population of about 3,700 rises close to 10,000 in summer.

What happened at Bolsena in 1263? A miracle is said to have occurred in the Basilica of Santa Cristina, when a Bohemian priest, in doubt about the doctrine of Transubstantiation, reported bleeding from the host he had consecrated at Mass.

Why does that matter? Because the proofs were taken to Orvieto and given to Pope Urban IV, who instituted the feast of Corpus Domini the following year — a solemnity then extended to the whole Catholic Church.

Where is the relic now? In Orvieto, 20 kilometres north-east. Orvieto Cathedral was eventually built to commemorate the miracle and house the Corporal of Bolsena, in a reliquary made by the Sienese goldsmith Ugolino di Vieri in 1337–1338.

Is there a famous painting of it? Yes — The Mass at Bolsena, a famed fresco by Raphael and his school in the Vatican Stanze.

How old is the basilica? Eleventh century, Romanesque, with works by Benedetto Buglioni, the polyptych of Sano di Pietro and a chapel frescoed in 1498. Paul VI raised it to minor basilica in August 1976.

When was the town founded? In 264 BC, as Volsinii Novi, after the Romans destroyed the older Etruscan city of Velzna.

Was Bolsena the Etruscan Volsinii? Disputed. Scholarly opinion is sharply divided, with Orvieto the other candidate. George Dennis noted that Bolsena has no Etruscan characteristics — Etruscan cities were built on defensible crags, and the castle hill is not one — so Roman Bolsena may simply carry an Etruscan name.

How did the lake form? Over 300,000 years ago, through the caldera collapse of several volcanoes of the Monti Volsini chain. It is not a single crater.

How big is the town? 3,642 residents; about 3,700 in round terms, rising close to 10,000 in summer.

Was there really a US Navy base? Yes. The United States Navy established a naval air station here on 21 February 1918 to operate seaplanes during the First World War; it closed shortly after the Armistice.

What happened in June 1944? The territory was the theatre of a battle between German and British forces that caused the death of 597 Commonwealth men.