Christina's Cucina

An impassioned Italian Scot sharing how to cook authentically, and travel with enthusiasm.

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Course or Meal
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast/Brunch
      • Dessert
      • Main Course
      • Salads
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
    • Cuisine
      • Italian
      • Scottish (British)
      • Other Cuisines
        • Asian
        • French
        • German
        • Greek
        • Mexican
        • Other
    • Ingredient
      • Beef
      • Cheese
      • Chicken (Poultry)
      • Chocolate
      • Eggs
      • Fish & Shellfish
      • Fruit
      • Legumes
      • Pasta and Rice
      • Pork & Lamb
      • Potatoes
      • Vegetables
    • Special Diets
      • Dairy Free
      • Egg Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Nut Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Types of Food
      • Beverages
        • Alcoholic
        • Non-Alcoholic
      • Bread, Cookies & Pastries
      • Cakes & Pies
      • Candies, Sweets & Confections
      • Dressings, Sauces, Syrups & Toppings
      • Jams
      • Pickles
      • Sandwiches & Snacks
    • Non Sequitur
      • “How To…”
      • My Rants & Recommendations
  • Travel
  • Work with Me

Home » Country » Civita di Bagnoregio: a Little Known Gem in Lazio

Civita di Bagnoregio: a Little Known Gem in Lazio

April 4th, 2019 | 16 Comments

Civita di Bagnoregio is a beautiful, historic hilltop town in Lazio, Italy, which was dying until recent tourism has given it a breath of life.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Seeing a photo that my cousin Gianfranco took, was how I first learned of this little known gem. Civita di Bagnoregio is perched high atop what is left of a concentration of volcanic tuff in central Italy, and so unique, you’ll never forget it once you see it for the first time.

As an Amazon Associate and Booking.com affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

When I was planning our route from Tuscany to Lazio, I just knew we needed to stop in Civita di Bagnoregio after visiting Orvieto.

Where is Civita di Bagnoregio?

On the map below, you can see that Civita di Bagnoregio is located a bit further south, between Florence and Rome, near Lago di Bolsena.

Map of Civita di Bagnoregio courtesy of Google
Map of Civita di Bagnoregio courtesy of Google

Before planning the trip, I did send my mother a photo of the pedestrian bridge and asked if she would be okay walking over it. 

Civita di Bagnoregio walkway

You see, she’s very afraid of heights and I didn’t want to arrive at the town’s edge and have her refuse to cross. Luckily, she said she thought she’d be okay, and she was. In fact, she was much better going over than coming back, for some reason. Truly, it’s not bad at all, and if my mother can do it, anyone can.

Sign to Civita di Bagnoregio

We arrived in the main part of the town, drove through it (I wondered if I was even supposed to be there a couple of times), but there’s a parking lot at the far end.

Bagnoregio

Here’s a clip of me driving through to give you an idea of what I mean.

 

Once we arrived and parked, Mum and I walked towards the bridge and paid a nominal fee (€5) to cross and visit la Civita di Bagnoregio.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Originally established by the Etruscans over 2500 years ago, you can be sure that the history here is enthralling. You can read about it here.

Civita di Bagnoregio

civita di bagnoregio

This fee is what is helping to bring the town back to life and restore the buildings. 

Civita di Bagnoregio

Once we entered the archway, we immediately knew this was a special place. One can sense the renewal and hope here. 

Panorama of Civita di Bagnoregio

It was so clean, and there were flowers and plants adorning walls, stairs, windowsills and balconies.

Panorama of Bagnoregio

church in Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio is a photographer and artist’s paradise. In fact, I realized when I returned home that I had a print that I’d bought over 15 years ago in Florence which I framed, and it’s from Civita di Bagnoregio! I even took a photo of the exact same spot that the artist painted without realizing it. 

Civita di Bagnoregio painting

Mum and I explored from one end of the town to the other. It was simply beautiful. I hope these photos can portray a little of what we saw, although, it’s just never the same as in person.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio

This is one view from the town’s edge.

view from Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio

Mum and I were only there for an afternoon, but I would love to go back and spend more time here, there are places to stay in Bagnoregio (the town we drove through to walk to la Civita di Bagnoregio).

Builidings in Civita di Bagnoregio
Booking.com

 

St. Bonaventure was born in Civita di Bagnoregio in the early 1200s and his tomb is just across the pedestrian bridge.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Bridge to Civita di Bagnoregio Christina

Grotto of Saint Bonaventure

Grotto of Saint Bonaventure

I hope that if you are in the Viterbo area that you make it a point to visit Civita di Bagnoregio. I honestly think you would enjoy it just as much as my mother and I did.

Mum and I walked back to the parking lot and headed out of town towards Bomarzo. We were going to visit the Bomarzo Monster Park which has been on my travel list for quite a while. 

Bomarzo Monster Park in Italy

 


 

Pin For Later

Pin for Civita di Bagnoregio

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

You may also enjoy these...

  • My Top 9 Reasons to Visit Ferrara, ItalyMy Top 9 Reasons to Visit Ferrara, Italy
  • A Drive from San Gimignano to SienaA Drive from San Gimignano to Siena
  • Antica Corte Pallavicina and Culatello di Zibello with Food Valley ToursAntica Corte Pallavicina and Culatello di Zibello with Food Valley Tours
  • Cruise and Cook on Lake Lugano (a Risotto Making Lesson to Remember)Cruise and Cook on Lake Lugano (a Risotto Making Lesson to Remember)
Older Post
Grilled Mozzarella Cheese and Red Pepper Sandwiches, Two Ways
Newer Post
Spinach Soup Everyone Will Love!
197 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard

Country, ITALY · Civita di Bagnoregio, hilltop, Italian town, Italian travel, Italy, Lazio, near Orvieto, road trip, Travel, travels, villages

Reader Interactions

16 Responses

  1. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says:
    April 22, 2019 at 11:19 am

    funny…that wall reminds me of the Great Wall of China! I love Italy and the beautiful old cities and buildings. I’d love to visit here!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      August 20, 2019 at 11:31 pm

      Really? Too funny!

      Reply
  2. Bomarzo Monster Park in Italy (Bomarzo Parco dei Mostri - Sacro Bosco) - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 13, 2019 at 10:35 pm

    […] leaving la Civita di Bagnoregio, my mother and I drove about 40 minutes to the The Bomarzo Monster Park, or Bosco Sacro as […]

    Reply
  3. David says:
    April 7, 2019 at 10:21 am

    I have always wanted to go there, and your photos and description make me want to go even more. I absolutely love the side-by-side comparison of your watercolor and photo!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      August 20, 2019 at 11:31 pm

      Missed these comments! I do hope you’re able to visit, David!

      Reply
  4. Valentina says:
    April 5, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    Wow, I MUST go here one day. That photo at the top is amazing — looks like a “wonder of the world!” So incredibly beautiful, and I can only imagine how breath-taking it is in real life. -)

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      April 5, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      Go before it does become one of the “wonders” and is overrun with tourists, Valentina!

      Reply
  5. Mitch Kirkuff says:
    April 5, 2019 at 7:13 am

    My grandfather (Nonno) was from Montefiascone, not far from there. I plan to visit soon!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      April 5, 2019 at 8:22 am

      That’s fantastic, Mitch! Have you been before or will it be your first time visiting your nonno’s hometown? Either way, it will be marvelous!

      Reply
  6. Is Orvieto Worth Visiting? Short Answer: Yes! 5 Reasons to Visit Orvieto - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 4, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    […] Next stop: Civita di Bagnoregio […]

    Reply
  7. Lindsay bradley says:
    April 4, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    Gosh these photos make me want to go and visit. Beautiful historic village I hope tourism helps keep it going but does not ruin it.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      April 4, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      I so agree, Lindsay! There is a fine line between helping and hurting and I hope they are able to save it from turning into a circus if the word really gets out.

      Reply
  8. Katie Zack says:
    April 4, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    I had no idea where the patron saint of San Buenaventura was from!! Thanks lovely little place

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      April 4, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Isn’t that cool?!

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

  1. Bomarzo Monster Park in Italy (Bomarzo Parco dei Mostri - Sacro Bosco) - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 13, 2019 at 10:35 pm

    […] leaving la Civita di Bagnoregio, my mother and I drove about 40 minutes to the The Bomarzo Monster Park, or Bosco Sacro as […]

    Reply
  2. Is Orvieto Worth Visiting? Short Answer: Yes! 5 Reasons to Visit Orvieto - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 4, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    […] Next stop: Civita di Bagnoregio […]

    Reply

Join the Discussion Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



Newsletter

Most Popular Recipes

cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich Rolls (with Lavash Bread)

Sicilian Whole Orange cake on a plate with oranges

Sicilian Whole Orange Cake (Using an Entire Orange: Peel, Juice and Pulp)

Perfect Yeast Doughnuts

Perfect Yeast Doughnuts (Donut Recipe with 3 Fillings)

Footer

More please…

pistachio cream zeppole di san giuseppe

Pistachio Cream (Light Pastry Cream Recipe)

two Irish coffees

Irish Coffee (Irish Coffee Recipe from a Dublin Pub)

3 profiteroles on a plate with a rose

Profiteroles (Choux Pastry Recipe) with Chocolate Topping

Mimosa cake with blossoms

International Women’s Day Cake (Torta Mimosa) for March 8th

pastry cream with choux buns and vanilla beans

Pastry Cream (Crema Pasticcera Recipe)

Guinness-cake-with-clover

Guinness Chocolate Cake (St Patrick’s Day Cake Recipe)

Return to top of page
Copyright© 20112019 · Privacy Policy · Log in

197 shares