Gradoli is one of the smallest towns in the province of Viterbo. It is located on top of a hill a short distance from Lake Bolsena and 35 kilometres from Viterbo itself. Its main attractions are the Palazzo Farnese and the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral.
Gradoli City Guide
Tourist information
The address of the town hall is Piazza Luigi Palombini, 2 – 01010 Gradoli (tel. +39 0761456082). The ZIPcode is 01010 and the area code is 0761.
By car/public transport
By car: From Viterbo, follow the SR2 until you reach the northern end of Lake Bolsena. At Borgo le Torrette continue on the SS489. From Rome take the E80 along the coast and at Montalto di Castro take the SS312.
Public Transport: From Viterbo, Autolinee Tiani runs a direct but very irregular bus service to Gradoli. The travel time is about 70 minutes. From Rome: Take the train to Viterbo and then the bus to your destination. Please note that you may have to wait a very long time for the connection.
A brief history of Gradoli
The history of the town begins in the Middle Ages with the construction of the castle. The most important family in this history was the Farnese family of Pope Paul III. In the 1970s, the town was briefly in the news when, on the basis of a scene, the kidnapped politician Aldo Moro was thought to be imprisoned there.
Tourist attractions
The most famous building of the city is the 16th century Palazzo Farnese built by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. It is the seat of a Costume Museum. The most important churches are the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, the San Michele Arcangelo Church and the San Pietro in Vinculis Church.
Events and festivals
The festival in honour of the town’s patron saint, Santa Maria Maddalena, takes place on 22 July. At the end of July/beginning of August the Sagra dell’Aleatico is held, dedicated to the local grape variety of that name. Sweet red wines are made from the Aleatico.