Visiting the Torre Alfina Castle can be a perfect opportunity for an exciting out-of-town visit in Alta Tuscia. An experience that continues beyond the walls, where Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria meet in an area where art blends harmoniously with nature. Among the stone alleyways of ancient villages, enchanted woods and tables laden with genuine flavours, every step turns into a pleasant discovery of living traditions and small treasures that make Alta Tuscia a unique land.
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Strolling through the Lanes and Stopping to Taste
After exploring the castle and breathed in the suspended atmosphere of its halls, the journey continues in the medieval village that surrounds it. Walking through the narrow streets of Torre Alfina is like slowing down time: stone walls, flower-filled balconies, sudden glimpses that catch the eye. Here the workshops offer mature cheeses, cured meats with an intense aroma, bread baked in a wood-fired oven and desserts that tell family recipes handed down from generation to generation. The village is also famous for the spelt from the Pungolo of Acquapendenteancient and versatile ingredient, the St. Anthony's biscuit and the typical 'imbriachelle'rustic doughnuts to dip in wine to close the meal with a a simple gesture but full of tradition.
Recipes That Tell Stories
Sitting down to eat in these lands means savouring dishes that carry with them the memory of those who handed them down. Like acquacottaa humble but richly flavoured soup made with stale bread, field vegetables, potatoes and a poached egg that binds everything together delicately. Or the lombrichellihandmade fresh pasta, thick and rough, ideal for holding firm sauces such as amatriciana or cacio e pepe. Dishes that speak of home, burning fires and family Sundays and which still today tell the history of a sincere peasant cuisine.
Wines that Smell of Hills
Next to the dishes, can't miss the wines that make this land special. A glass of Grechetto, a fresh white with fruity hints, perfectly accompanies hors d'oeuvres and vegetable dishes. The Ciliegiolo, a soft and light red, is perfect with rustic first courses or white meats, while theAleatico di Gradolisweet and aromatic, it provides the perfect finish with dry desserts or mature cheeses. Small local wineries offer tastings that become authentic encounters with those who have been cultivating vines for generations, transforming wine into narrative.
Places that Enchant Nearby
Our journey of discovery in Alta Tuscia can continue a few steps from the Castle of Torre Alfina, in the Sasseto Monumental Forest. An almost magical place where centuries-old trees, moss-covered volcanic boulders and hidden paths create a fairytale atmosphere.
Continuing southwards, about half an hour's drive away, the pretty village of Bolsena welcomes visitors with its mighty Rocca Monaldeschiwhich dominates the historic centre, and the lake of the same name, the largest volcanic lake in Europe offering unforgettable sunsets.
On the south-western shore of the lake, some historic centres hold suggestive views and memories of art. Capodimontewith the bulk of the Palazzo Farnesea majestic architectural work commissioned by the noble family in the 15th century, alleys, small squares and panoramic views of the lake. Only 3 km away, the village of Martaalso known as the "Borgo dei Pescatori' tells its story between the beautiful lakeside promenade, the Clock Tower symbol of the town, the Collegiate Church of Saints Blaise and Martha and the impressive Grotto of Apparitions, a place of popular devotion which adds a spiritual touch to this lakeside walk.
An Invitation to Slow Tourism
A day in Alta Tuscia thus becomes much more than a visit: is an experience that combines history, taste and landscapes that remain in the heart. Among ancient dishes, genuine wines, charming villages and places suspended between nature and legend, every moment tells something about this land. Just let your curiosity guide you and take the time to experience the emotions. Because every experience is a gift to be welcomed with the senses and cherished with the soul.
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