Lake Bracciano
Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano) is a volcanic lake in the Italian region of Lazio, 32 km northwest of Rome. It has a perimeter of approximately 32 km surrounded by volcanic hills, and one mountain to the north called Rocca Romana. Two towns sit on the lake shore: Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano, in addition to Bracciano which overlooks the lake from a high hill to the South West, Manziana which is set about 3 km back to the West, and Vicarello, the site of the ancient Aqua Appolinaris baths to the north west.
The lake is a popular location for Romans at weekends, particularly during the summer when the area can get extremely crowded. It serves as a drinking water reservoir for Rome and the use of motorboats is forbidden. This makes Bracciano one of the cleanest lakes of Italy. Swimming, sailing and other watersports are permitted.
Get in
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Map of Lake Bracciano
The towns of Anguillara and Bracciano can be reached by train from Ostiense railway station in Rome. By car, take Rome's ring road (the GRA) to the Cassia bis exit and follow the signs to the lake. Alternatively, you can take the coastal A12 Autostrada or the Via Aurelia in the direction of Civitavecchia, leaving it at Cerveteri or Furbara-Sasso and following signs to Bracciano.
Get around
[edit]Regional buses called COTRAL are operated by the region of Lazio and call hourly at Canale Monterrano, Manziana, Bracciano and Anguillara then descend to Rome along the via Clodia terminating at the Saxa Rubra bus garage close to the RAI television Studios on the via Flaminia. Approximately one bus every two hours from Bracciano passes Trevignano Romano in each direction, and one bus every two hours also reaches Bracciano Hospital.
The local municipalities of Manziana, Bracciano and Anguillara also provide small orange mini-busses which connect their outlying communities at certain times of the day.
In the summer months, a tourist boat connects Bracciano's Lakeside beach area with piers in the centre of Anguillara and Trevignano. The boat makes three complete tours of the lake in a day in a triangular route missing out most of the west side of the lake.
See
[edit]- 1 Bracciano
is a small town mainly famous for a well-preserved 15th Century castle (Castello Odescalchi) - 2 Anguillara Sabazia is built on a small cape that sticks out into the lake. Three kilometres east of the town lies the small Lake Martignano. This is not accessible by car and requires a short walk from the parking area. Unlike Lake Bracciano it is very undeveloped.
- 3 Trevignano Romano is on the north side of the lake. It has some pleasant lakeside walks and is the lake's main sailing center.
- The picturesque town of 4 Manziana is on the west side of the lake, with great views of the whole lake, beautiful boutique shops along the main shopping street and the region's finest cuisine, at Il Sorcetto restaurant.
- 1 Monterano the ghost-town is 15 minutes west of Manziana destroyed by Napoleon's armies in 1790.
Do
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- Explore the conduit and sources of the ancient Aqua Traiana, Trajan's Aqueduct which circumnavigated the lake and had sources all around its volcanic foothills, from Pisciarelli, and Santa Fiora, to Vicarello and Bassano in the North and also East of Trevignano Romano. Trajan's Aqueduct was partly rebuilt by Pope Paul V in 1612 and named the Acqua Paola and much of the Acqua Paola remains in working order today.
- 1 Italian Air Force Museum (MuSAM), Vigna di Valle, aeromuseo@aeronautica.difesa.it. 09:30-16:30 (winter); 09:30-17:30 (summer); closed on Monday. A superb collection of planes housed in the hangars of Italy's first seaplane base. Exhibits range from the pioneers of flight and WWI fighters up to Italian military planes of the present day. This is one of the largest collections of its type in the world and is really well displayed. Free of charge.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Fedeli Store, Piazza Dante 4 (in central Bracciano), ☏ +39 06 83923944. Offers fine jewelery and fine clothing to wealthy widows and elegant ladies with large alimony cheques.
- 2 Bracciano shopping mall (Centro Commerciale Bracciano), Via Sandro Pertini 2 (Bracciano Due, on the far side of the via Braccianese from the town centre), ☏ +39 06 9988417. 8:30-20:30. A small Mall-style shopping centre with a reasonably sized CONAD hypermarket, a Euronics Consumer Electronics store, a Feltrinelli Bookstore, a nail bar and beauty-treatments shop, and various other boutiques (mostly focused on female vanity), a pizzeria and a coffee-shop. There are no clothing stores for men or children.
- 3 Kesp, Via Braccianese Claudia, km 29, ☏ +39 06 87462407. Outdoor shopping centre on the boundary of Manziana, arriving from Bracciano, has a Carrefour supermarket, a large Electronics superstore called Medimax, a large but understocked shoeshop, and a pricey DIY store.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Chalet del Lago, Viale R. Belloni, 28/29 - Anguillara Sabazia (Just before Anguillara as you approach from Bracciano), ☏ +39 06 9968229, info@chaletdellago.com. Tu-Sa 12:30 - 15:00, 19:45 - 22:00; Su 12:30 - 16:00 (closed for supper); M closed. Beautiful setting right on the lake with great views of Anguillara. Has been used as a set by several directors, including Fellini. Good wine list €29 menu degustazione, excluding drinks; no prices are given on online à la carte menu.
- 2 Pane e Olio, piazza Mazzini, 11, ☏ +39 06 9980 3433, mose.quinti@gmail.com. Tu-Su 10:00-15:00, 18:00-23:30; M closed. Traditional food and products at km 0 €20-35.
- 3 Osteria del Borgo, piazza Roma, 8, ☏ +39 06 3105 3012, info@osteriadelborgobracciano.com. M W-Su 12:00-16:00, 20:00-23:00, Tu closed. The cuisine is Italian €30-40.
- 4 L'Archetto da Lidia, Piazza delle Magnolie, 1, ☏ +39 06 9980 2430. Daily 11:30-15:30. Italian, seafood, soups.
- 5 Ai due Leoni, Via di Castel Giuliano, 13, ☏ +39 06 998 7167. M Tu Th-Sa 19:00-22:00, W closed, Su 12:00-15:00. Italian, pizza. €9-23.
- 6 Agritutrismo "La Baita", Via Panzanata, 2, ☏ +39 06 998 7064. Daily 13:00-17:00. Italian, Room staff, parking, parking validated, accessible wheelchair, serves liquor, wine and beer, Reservations, tables outside, Seats
- 7 Al Castello, Via della Collegiata, 1, ☏ +39 347 915 4001, soniabergodi@hotmail.it. Wood oven. €15-30.
- 8 La Taverna dei Balbi, Via Olmata Tre Cancelli, 22, ☏ +39 06 998 8353. Tuesday closed, M W-Su 19:30-23:00. Italian, Mediterranean. €10-30.
- 9 fraschetta (tutti in frasca), Via Giulio Volpi 9 (opposite the entrance of the Castle Orsini), ☏ +39 346 374 6978, fraschetta.bracciano@gmail.com. Daily 11:00am-15:00, 18:00-22:30. €5-20.
- 10 Agriturismo "Tra Lago e Cielo", Via della Lobbra, 1/B, ☏ +39 392 939 3290. for families
- 11 Osteria da Nerone, Via Della Arazzaria 5,, ☏ +39 06 9980 3182. Daily 11:30-16:00, 19:00-23:00. Italian, fish. €9-15.
- 12 Casa D Ristorantino, Piazza Roma, 18, ☏ +39 06 9980 2615. Italian, seafood, Mediterranean.
- 13 Cacio e Pepe, Lungolago Giuseppe Argenti, 39, ☏ +39 331 508 1892. M closed; Tu-Su 10:00-23:00. italian
- 14 Crazy Bull Cafè, Piazza Don Cesolini, 4-6, ☏ +39 06 9980 2341. M closed, Su 12:00-03:00, Tu-Sa 17:00-03:00. Hamburgers, pancakes and Tex-Mex menu in a colourful inspiration of USA with bright pictures on the walls.
- 15 La Fontanella, Via Francesco Silla, 1, ☏ +39 06 9980 4540. Italian, pizza, seafood, Mediterranean.
- 16 Percorsi al Vecchio Ponte, Via del Ponte Medioevale, 1, ☏ +39 351 9928728. Daily 10:00-01:00. Italian, seafood, Mediterranean, for vegetarians. €20-40.
- 17 Fantasy Food, Via Principe di Napoli, ☏ +39 06 9887 6640. Italian. €7-19.
- 18 Birreria dar Toro Seduto, Via Arazzaria, 33, ☏ +39 349 764 5486. Daily 18:00-01:00. Pub, Italian, Mexican. €5-20.
- 19 Pizzando, Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 36, ☏ +39 06 9980 2932. Daily 11:00-23:00. Italian, pizza, Mediterranean. €10-30.
- 20 Striscia la Pizza, Via Claudia 32, striscialapizza94@libero.it. Italian, pizza.
- 21 Trattoria Le Torri, Via Claudia, 49, ☏ +39 06 998 6187, trattorialetorri@libero.it. Italian, Mediterranean.
- 22 La Zuccallegra, Via Girolamo Tamburri, 9, ☏ +39 393 158 8184. For vegetarians.
- 23 Donegan's, Via Claudia, 2A, ☏ +39 06 9980 2208. M W-Su 18:30-02:00, Tuesday closed. Italian, pub. €18-30.
- 24 Monte dell'Oro, Via del Sasso, 4, ☏ +39 06 9980 0007, info@montedelloro.com. M closed; Tu-Su 10:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00. Italian.
- 25 Ristorante Pizzeria degli Abruzzi, Via delle Molare, 2, ☏ +39 06 998 6599. Th closed; other days 12:30-15:30, 19:00-22:30. Italian, pizza and Mediterranean. €15-30.
- 26 Alfredo Persichella, Via della Sposetta Vecchia, 1, ☏ +39 06 9980 5585. Italian, pizza, seafood, Mediterranean.
- 27 Sushifiore, Via Santa Lucia, 4,, ☏ +39 06 998 6971. M closed; Tu-Su 11:00-15:00, 19:00-23:30. Chinese, Japanese, sushi. €15-20.
- 28 Pizzeria da Mami, Piazza San Lorenzo, 45 (via pisciarelli), ☏ +39 06 9980 4471. M closed, Tu-Su 19:30-00:00. Italian, Pizza, Asian €10-20.
- 29 Sheng Long, Via Principe di Napoli, 164, ☏ +39 06 9980 3224. M W-Su 12:00-00:00, Tu 07:00-00:00. Chinese
- 30 ZeroZero Pizza, Piazza Marinai D'italia, ☏ +39 06 9981 5203. Daily 19:00-00:00. pizza €10-15.
- 31 Ristorante Sora Tuta, Via Agostino Fausti, ☏ +39 06 9980 4677. Italian.
- 32 Un'altra Bottiglia, 27 Via Arazzeria, ☏ +39 06 9980 4520. Italian, Mediterranean.
- 33 Number One, Via Principe di Napoli, 85, ☏ +39 06 9980 3237. M closed, Tu-Su 12:00-23:00. Gastronomy
- 34 Ristorante La Collina, Via di Valle Foresta, 11, ☏ +39 06 998 8520. Sa 19:30-00:00, Su 12:30-17:00. italian €15-25.
- 35 La Porta Rossa, Via Gabriele D'Annunzio, 34, ☏ +39 347 766 2586. Daily 18:00-01:00.
- 36 Agriturismo "Monte La Puglia", Via Castel Giuliano, ☏ +39 06 998 6694. Breakfast included, for families
- 37 Festina Lente, Via Olmata Tre Cancelli, 8, ☏ +39 06 998 7033. M-F 08:22-22:00, Sa 09:00-18:30. italian
- 38 Il pescatore, Lungolago Via Giuseppe Argenti, 14, ☏ +39 06 9980 6013. M closed, Tu-Su 10:00-16:00. Fish restaurant €5-25.
- 39 Rosa dei venti, Lungolago Argenti, 49, ☏ +39 328 92 77 565. Daily 08:00-13:00.
- 40 Porco Rosso, Via Raffaello Sanzio 42, ☏ +39 06 9724 1161, bottegadelvinoleo@gmail.com. Steakhouse, fast food.
Drink
[edit]Bracciano has two particularly western-friendly eating and drinking establishments:
- Donegan's, Via Claudia 2/A, ☏ +39 389 0567343. An extensive pub in Bracciano City Centre with a spacious atmosphere, a good quality aperitivo, and a slightly expensive drinks menu. Prices are on a par with drinks in Milan or Trastevere.
- Crazy Bull, Piazza Don Cesolini 4/5/6, ☏ +39 06 99802341. A great sports-type bar and a modern Tex-Mex restaurant on a hill above Bracciano Castle and slightly to the periphery of the city centre. However it offers good quality western food, and some variety for those whose constitutions need a break from the relentless (although delicious) pizza and pasta. Crazy Bull is also a great place to sit and drink a beer or a cocktail without travelling into Rome.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 La Gismonda, via della Cisterna, 6 (hamlet Pisciarelli), ☏ +39 0699815284, info@gismonda.it. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:30. It has 8 nice and comfortable rooms and mini apartments that overlook Lake Bracciano, and Bracciano's castle. Both the rooms and the apartments are air conditioned and have private bathrooms.A panoramic swimming pool and a giant chess board (and giant chess pieces) are both free to use.
Connect
[edit]- Historians and Archaeologists may like to contact the Forum Clodii society based in Bracciano, and who run their own museum.
- Those interested in local etruscan archaeology can contact the Manziana Archaeology Group Gruppo Archeologico Romano Sezione Manziana.
- For further information about the conservation area around Lakes Bracciano and Martignano, visitors can contacts the Parks Authority Parco Regionale Naturale Bracciano Martignano.
- Those interested in visiting Lake Bracciano can contact Associazione Turismo Lago di Bracciano[dead link] or Visit Bracciano.
Go next
[edit]The Etruscan tombs of Cerveteri are just 20 minutes from Bracciano to the southwest. Closer, but along a winding road to the northeast, leaving the lake at Trevignano, is Sutri, which has an interesting Roman amphitheatre carved out of rock.
| Routes through Lake Bracciano |
| END ← Viterbo ← | N  S |
→ North Rome → Aventino-Testaccio, Rome |