San Lorenzo Nuovo is 150 km from the capital.
Located on a hill, it dominates from the north side of Lake Bolsena, and offers a splendid panoramic view.
The ancient village, called San Lorenzo alle Grotte, was inhabited by the Etruscans from 770 BC. The passage of the Via Cassia gave it such great strategic importance that it incited continuous struggles between the local gentry and the Church. When Pope Pius VI was deported to France, he wanted to say goodbye to the city.
In the 13th century, San Lorenzo was ceded to the Church by the Countess Matilde di Canossa. Together with the neighbouring lands, it formed the province of Val di Lago and was a subject of the Republic of Orvieto, but only for a short time: in 1359 Cardinal Albornoz brought the province of Val di Lago back under the protection of the Holy See.
From 1774, the entire rural village was rebuilt according to the skilful design of the architect Francesco Navone. Today, the centre still has the same urban planning and architectural structure of the time.
The Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo Martire dates back to the 18th century but contains many works from earlier times including two important paintings by Jacopo Zucchi. Other minor basilicas worth mentioning are the rural Church of Torano (or Turano) and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Located just 5 km from the town is the San Lorenzo Nuovo beach, lapped by the waters of the wonderful Lake Bolsena, where you can spend a few hours in complete relaxation lying under the shade of the poplars or on the soft lawns.
For more information: Comune di San Lorenzo Nuovo .