In Tuscia, between the sea, Mount Amiata and Lake Bolsena, nestled between hills and hillsides rich in vine and olive groves, is the municipality of Canino to which the entire Strada dell’Olio DOP di Canino (Canino PDO Olive Oil Road) is dedicated.
Canino DOP Oil Road
Canino was the residence of the Farnese family where Alessandro Farnese, later Pope Paul III, was born in 1468. Luciano Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother and prince of Canino and Musignano, also lived here, and is buried with his family in the Collegiata dei Santi Apostoli Giovanni e Andrea. The Palazzo Bonaparte, attributed to the architect Valadier, is a reminder of the family’s former presence.
The former Convento di San Francesco in Canino
The former Convento di San Francesco and the 16th-century dodecagonal fountain designed by Jacopo Barozzi, known as ‘il Vignola’, are splendid. Among the most interesting buildings, visit the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) built in 1696 and the Palazzo Miccinelli from the second half of the 15th century.
National Archaeological Museum of Vulci
Not to be missed in the vicinity of Canino is a visit to the ancient Etruscan city of Vulci, with the Abbadia Castle, now home to the National Archaeological Museum, and its 30-metre-high bridge, known as the Badia or dell’Arcobaleno bridge, built by the Romans to cross the large gorge where the River Fiora flows.
The waterfall on Lake Pellicone
Immersed in the Parco Naturalistico Archeologico di Vulci (Vulci Archaeological Nature Park), among the excavations of the ancient city and the beautiful tombs in the area, it is also possible to reach the suggestive waterfall on the Pellicone lake.
Today, Canino is known for its production of extra virgin olive oil PDO. The green gold with its golden hues, slightly fruity aroma and bitter, spicy aftertaste has a history of ancient origins. In fact, numerous archaeological finds dating back to Etruscan times have been discovered in Canino, such as vases and frescoes depicting scenes of olive harvesting. Highly anticipated every year is the Sagra dell’Olivo (Olive Festival), which takes place in the first days of December, when the production and olive harvesting season reaches its peak.
Canino PGI green asparagus
Also celebrated in April is the Sagra dell’Asparago verde di Canino (Canino Green Asparagus Festival), a famous high quality product widely used in frittata and soups. The celebrations in honour of the patron saint, San Clemente, on the second Sunday of September and the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot in January are very popular.