Lake Vico
 

Lake Vico is located north of Lake Bracciano, situated at the centre of the Cimini Mountains, and has volcanic origins. This lake has the highest altitude of all the large Italian lakes, with an altitude of 510 metres above sea level, and is surely one of the most beautiful and well-conserved in central Italy. This lake takes the form of a horseshoe due to the presence of Mount Venere (a small volcanic cone inside the large crater) on its northern shore. In 1982, the Riserva Naturale Regionale Lago Vico was instituted in order to preserve the environment, and at the same time, encourage economic growth in the area. This natural reserve includes many splendid wooded areas with trees such as the beech tree, wetlands that are the home to many interesting water bird species, and cultivated terrain (mostly cultivated with nut trees).

 
Foto: Patrizia De Socio
 

Sutri
   
Legend has it that Sutri, nicknamed “the doorstep of the Etruscans” by the Romans, was founded by the Pelasgi, an ancient fishermen population. Other legends suggest that this town was founded to honour the god Saturn. This town was an important commercial centre during the Etruscan period, and remained so until it was conquered by the Romans. The principal monuments of the town are located in the urban park. There is a large Etruscan necropolis, which is visible from the street, that precedes the town (by leaving Rome and taking the street via Cassia), and a little further down the road you will find the entrance to a Roman amphitheatre, which is considered to be one of the most important monuments in Lazio.
 
Foto: Patrizia De Socio
 

Ronciglione
   
With its 440-metre-high altitude, Ronciglione dominates the gully of Rio Vicano, and is located near Lake Vico. This town, of Etruscan origins, was an important centre during ancient Roman times. In 1526, Ronciglione was owned by the Farnese family, and it was during their reign when this town massively developed, constructing railroads, mills, and factories. The beautiful Rocca was built during the medieval by the prefects of Vico in order to guard the sole entrance into the city. This structure has been owned by many noble families, such as the Counts of the Anguillara family and the Farnese family. Pope Sisto IV and Pope Paolo III stayed here during holidays.
 
Foto: Patrizia De Socio
 

Caprarola

   
Situated on a mound of tuff between the streets Cassia and Flaminia, Caprarola was a town fought over by different feudal families during the medieval. Then the Orsini family (the same family of the castle in Bracciano) took over control and the city fell under the jurisdiction of the papacy. During the 16th century, this town really started to grow, when the Farnese family extended its domain. And it was thanks to this powerful roman family that this town obtained its most beautiful monument, which is probably one of the most beautiful in Lazio, the renowned Palazzo Farnese. Originally designed by Antonio da Sangallo to be used as a fortress, in 1599 Cardinal Alessandro Farnese decided to change the plans in order to turn this structure into a residential villa and handed the construction over to Vignola. This famous architect kept the pentagonal floor plan designed by Sangallo, and erected a splendid Renaissance structure that then became the summer home of the Cardinal and his court.
 
Foto: Cristiano De Scisciolo (www.cdsweb.it)