Lazio North of Rome Attractions

Above the Lago di Bracciano to the southwest is the little town of Bracciano (279m/921ft; pop. 11,000), with the massive five-towered Castello Orsini-Odescalchi (built 1470, in the possession of the princely Odescalchi family since 1696), a fine example of a fortified medieval castle. Notable interior and pillared courtyard; from the wall-walk there are magnificent views of the lake.

6km/3.75mi west of Civita Castellana are the remains of Falerii Novi, founded in 240 B.C. to rehouse the inhabitants of the older town of Falerii Veteres, which has preserved its complete circuit of walls (2,108m/2,315yd long, with nine gates and 50 towers). Within the walls, near the Porta di Giove on the west side, the ruined abbey of Santa Maria di Falleri has ancient columns in the nave. Near the Porta del Bove, to the southeast are the remains of a theater, the forum and a swimming pool.

Also in northern Latium is the beautiful Lago di Bracciano (alt. 279m/921ft; area 57.5 sq.km/22 sq.mi; up to 165m/541ft deep, the ancient Lacus Sabatinus, which, like Lake Bolsena, was created by the explosion and subsequent collapse of a volcanic cone.

Southeast of Bolsena, on a subsidiary crater just inland from the lake, is Montefiascone (590m/1,947ft; pop. 12,000). The cathedral of Santa Margherita (by Sanmicheli, 1519) has an octagonal dome. From the gardens around the castle above the town there are extensive views. To the northeast, below the town on the Orvieto road, is the double church of San Flaviano (12th century), with 14th century frescoes.

From Rieti attractive trips can be made into the Monti Reatine, particularly to Terminillo (21km/13mi northeast: cableway, chair-lift, ski-lifts), a popular summer resort and winter sports center, much favored by the people of Rome (the "montagna di Roma"). From Monte Terminillo (2,216m/7,313ft), the highest peak in the Monti Reatini, there are panoramic views extending to the Gran Sasso and Maiella, and on clear days as far as the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Sea.