Marta

Marta is a small commune in the province of Viterbo, which faces the splendid waters of the Bolsena Lake.

Located in the southern part of the territory, the town is characteristic for the great fascination and beauty of its landscapes, the clarity of the nearby lake, its hills, the mountains in the distance and its green fields.

Immersed amongst this mix of natural beauties, the Alta Tuscian town never fails to amaze visitors with the charm and uniqueness of its surrounding territory.

The town itself is seen as an enchanting paradise of art and culture, rich in exceptional works of art, ancient streets and alleyways, remarkable monuments and famous palazzi.

The beauty is continued outside the town, where you can admire the extraordinary and exceptional cultivated countryside of the Alta Tuscia and the Bassa Maremma, which have earned this territory the nickname “Lago Contadino” (Farmer of the Lake).

Not to miss:

Church of St Maria: built in the 1600’s, it is an absolutely splendid and unique building that houses a great number of works of art, including precious frescoes, a gold 6th century chalice and the relics of St Giovanni Battista.

Santuario della Madonna del Monte (Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte): built just outside the city, this religious construction is designed in the Romanesque style and embellished with a nave and precious images of the Virgin.

Palazzo Rinascimentale: a splendid building constructed for the Farnese family, it is located in the principal piazza of the village and is today the seat of the commune.

The Castle: an ancient defensive construction built in the 1200’s for the Pontiff Urban IV. Originally the structure was definitely more impressive, but today, there remains only the ruins of the ancient fortress and the famous Clock Tower, constructed in a special octagonal form.

Isola Martana (Martana Island): a small island on the Bolsena Lake, located right in front of Marta. An absolutely splendid and enchanting location, the island is rich in forests and unique types of flora and fauna. The area is also famous as the supposed location of the assassination of Amalasunta, queen of Goti, at the hands of her cousin Toedorico.

History:

Of the origins of Marta, we know that the town was built sometime during the 13th century as an important possession of the Abazzia di San Pietro in Tuscia (The Abbey of St. Peter in Tuscia).

The town then passed into the hands of the family of the Bisenzio Counts and the house of the Tartaglia.

In the following centuries Marta was then ruled by the powerful Farnese family, the Dukedom of Castro and the Papal States; before becoming part of the new Kingdom of Italy in the last decades of the 19th century.