Five octagonal architectures aligned around Lake Bolsena trace a Renaissance itinerary
A tour around Lake Bolsena in Tuscia reveals five octagonal buildings arranged in a north-south orientation, leading to theories about their alchemical and astrological significance. Among these structures are two oratories on Bisentina Island designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger: the Rocchina, which was commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in 1520, and a twin oratory located on Monte Uliveto, the Rocca Farnese in Capodimonte (1513–1515). Additional sites include the Church of San Giovanni in Val di Lago, altered by Pietro Tartarino between 1563 and 1590, and the 18th-century Piazza Europa in San Lorenzo Nuovo, created by Francesco Navone in 1774. The Rocchina, currently undergoing restoration, is included in guided tours. Measurements confirm the alignment across centuries, rendering esoteric interpretations improbable.
Key facts
- Five octagonal structures are aligned on a north-south axis around Lake Bolsena.
- Antonio da Sangallo the Younger designed the Rocchina on Bisentina Island in 1520 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese.
- The Rocchina is also called Rocchina for its alignment with the Rocca di Capodimonte.
- Bisentina Island was purchased by the Rovati family in 2017 and opened to the public.
- The Rocca di Capodimonte was transformed by Sangallo between 1513 and 1515 into an octagonal villa.
- Giulia Farnese was likely born at the Rocca di Capodimonte.
- The Church of San Giovanni al Lago was redesigned by Pietro Tartarino (1563–1590) with an octagonal plan.
- Piazza Europa in San Lorenzo Nuovo was designed by Francesco Navone in 1774, inspired by Amalienborg in Copenhagen.
Entities
Artists
- Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane
- Pietro Tartarino
- Francesco Navone
Institutions
- Farnese family
- Rovati family
- Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese)
- Pope Clement XIV
Locations
- Lake Bolsena
- Italy
- Bisentina Island
- Capodimonte
- San Lorenzo Nuovo
- Val di Lago
- Rome
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Tuscia
- Monte Uliveto
- Rocca di Capodimonte
- Piazza Europa
- Amalienborg
- Frederiksstaden