Isola Bisentina Reopens to Public with Contemporary Art Installations

The Isola Bisentina, a pristine island in Lake Bolsena, will reopen to the public from July 2 to October 8, 2022, after decades of inaccessibility. Acquired in 2017 by the Rovati family (founders of Rottapharm, now controlled through holding Fidim), the island underwent complete restoration in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle arti e Paesaggio for the Province of Viterbo and the Comune di Capodimonte. The reopening features a curated route blending historical and contemporary art. Visitors can access three of the seven 15th-16th century chapels: the octagonal Santa Caterina chapel (attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, perched on a 22-meter rock spur) housing José Angelino's site-specific work 'Sintonie'; the Crocefisso or Monte Calvario chapel with frescoes attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli; and the Santa Concordia chapel featuring Matteo Nasini's 'Welcome Wanderer', which translates celestial movements into music via software. Additionally, Federico Gori's 'Il Vello d'Oro' is installed around an ancient holm oak. The initiative, called Coltivare l'Arte, stems from the Tearose botanical experience founded by Alessandra Rovati Vitali, who recently invested in the historic Milanese restaurant group Giacomo. Sofia Elena Rovati, overseeing the project, received an award from the Festival dell'Ecologia Integrale di Montefiascone for her work on the island. The remaining four chapels will be opened gradually over time.