Capodimonte, Italian comune
Capodimonte is a small commune in the Province of Viterbo, sitting on a rocky outcrop on Lake Bolsena at an elevation of about 334 meters (1,100 feet). The settlement features narrow winding streets lined with simple stone houses and offers views of the lake and surrounding hills from various vantage points throughout the town.
The town developed around a 16th-century fortress built by architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger with an octagonal plan and thick stone walls designed for defense. This fortified structure was meant to control the lake and protect trading routes across the water, transforming a fishing village into a strategically important settlement.
The town celebrates its patron saint, San Sebastiano, on January 20 with local festivals and religious gatherings. Fishing families maintain traditions like the Barabbata in May, when they offer gifts to the Madonna del Monte, and the Luminata di San Rocco in August, when boats light up the lake at night in a procession.
The town is small and easy to explore on foot, with most sights and amenities close together along narrow streets. Visitors can find accommodation in small hotels, guesthouses, and campgrounds, as well as basic shops and cafes scattered throughout, with many establishments facing the waterfront or main pathways down to the lake.
A prehistoric canoe was discovered along Via San Sebastiano, revealing that people have lived in this area for thousands of years. This rare archaeological find connects the modern community to its ancient past and underscores the long human presence along these shores.
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