🏰 Ischia di Castro: Hidden Gem in Alta Tuscia Viterbese

Giano di Vico
Sep 7
3 min read

🕰️ History and Identity

Perched on a tuff spur between the Fiora and Olpeta streams, Ischia di Castro is a village that preserves layers of history: from Etruscan roots to the Middle Ages, up to the Renaissance splendor of the Duchy of Castro, heart of the Farnese power.

📍 Attractions and Monuments

🏯 Rocca Farnese (Ducal Palace)

The oldest residence of the Farnese family, later transformed into an elegant palace by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Today part of the Historic Residences of Lazio, it dominates the village with imposing grandeur.

🏘️ Historic Center

Paved alleys, panoramic views, and the monumental entrance that leads from the Ducal Palace into the medieval heart of the village.

🏺 Civic Archaeological Museum “Pietro e Turiddo Lotti”

Artifacts from the Etruscan necropolis, collections ranging from prehistory to the Renaissance, and testimonies from the destroyed city of Castro.

⛏️ Etruscan Necropolis of Castro

Monumental tombs, including the famous Tomb of the Chariot (530–520 BC), open to visitors.

⛪ Cathedral of Sant’Ermete

18th-century parish church, with fine works and carved ambon panels.

⛪ Church of San Rocco

Romanesque building with 15th-century frescoes.

🌸 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Giglio

A beloved place of worship, linked to popular devotion.

🌄 Hermitage of Poggio Conte

A rupestrian church carved into the rock between the 12th and 13th centuries, decorated with medieval frescoes, reachable via a scenic path.

🏚️ Ruins of Castro

Evocative remains of the Duchy’s capital, razed to the ground in 1649, symbol of memory and local identity.

🌿 Nature and Landscapes

Walks through woods and gorges carved by the Fiora and Olpeta streams.
Selva del Lamone Nature Reserve, a green lung for hikes.
Lake Bolsena, easily accessible for sports and relaxation.

🎉 Events and Traditions

Festa AMA Ischia (late July): art, music, and crafts.
Gran Premio delle Carrettelle (mid-August): handmade cart races through the village streets.
Sant’Ermete & Giostra del Gallinaccio (27–28 August): solemn procession, historical parade, and chivalric joust.
Feast of the Madonna del Giglio (8 September): religious celebrations and folklore.

🍷 Gastronomy and Typical Products

🥘 Traditional Dishes

Acquacotta: rustic soup with stale bread, herbs, and olive oil.
Pappardelle with wild boar, strozzapreti, lombrichelli.
Legume soups (chickpeas, chestnuts, beans).
Ischian-style rabbit, lamb, game.
Lake fish: whitefish, perch, tench.

🌿 Local Products

Canino DOP Olive Oil: intensely green, fruity, slightly spicy.
Hazelnuts from the Cimini Mountains, used in sweets and biscuits.
Artisanal pecorino cheeses.
DOC wines from the Etruscan Viterbo Hills.

🍯 Traditional Sweets

Walnut maccheroni (Christmas).
Torciglione and nociatelle.
Rice fritters (St. Joseph’s Day).
Sweet ravioli (Carnival).

🍽️ Where to Eat

Name	Cuisine Type	Features
Trattoria Da Salvatore	Local, homestyle	Game, traditional dishes
Ristorante Pizzeria La Fiaba	Pizza & local cuisine	Informal setting, excellent pizzas
Agriristoro Fratelli Pira	Slow food, agritourism	Zero-km products, genuine tradition
La Vineria	Wine bar, local food	Wide wine selection, typical dishes
Il Podere di Marfisa	Agritourism	Rural location, tasting experiences

ℹ️ Useful Information

📍 Distances: Rome 130 km (2h) – Viterbo 40 km (45 min) – Siena 100 km (1h30).
🌸 When to Go: spring and autumn for mild weather; summer for events and traditions.
🛍️ Weekly market: Wednesday morning.
☎️ Tourist info: Town Hall Via S. Rocco, 2 – Tel. +39 0761 425455.

✨ Conclusion

Ischia di Castro offers Farnese architecture, unique Etruscan sites, popular festivals, and authentic cuisine.

It is a destination that combines history, nature, and conviviality, far from the crowded tourist circuits yet capable of offering unforgettable experiences in the Upper Tuscia of Viterbo.