History of Santa Cristina Castle
S. Cristina’s XVII Century Castle lies in a strategic position at the crossroads of Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. It is a 10 minute drive north of Lake Bolsena and only 3 km away from Grotte di Castro, a fascinating ancient village of Etruscan origin set deep in the Tuscan Hills.
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Just below the Castle, a typical XVIII Century farmhouse has been restored to offer comfortable and warm hospitality within its beautiful apartments. The fairytale Castle is most romantic with a castellated turret rising above an age old woodland.
The history of the estate is always connected with the history of the noble Caterini family. An ancient family who came to this region around a.d. 1200 from the nearby Umbria. Their first establishment was in the local town of Acquapendente. What used to be the family palace is still located in the main square of the town for those who are interested to see on the left of the town hall. Together with other noble families of the area the Caterinis had a long association with the Pope.
In particular one member of the family became a powerful prelate, Cardinal Prospero Caterini who played a key role in the Vatican State around the middle of 1800 when he actively operated to defend the Pope’s interests during those difficult years leading into the unfication of Italy under the king of Piedmont in 1870. This period culminated in Pope Pius IX’s long reign when the cardinal became one of his chief advisors. Cardinal Caterini chose the Castello as his personal residence and retreat from the stress of Rome. His descendants still use this enchanting place as the family country home. It is a magical place to stay with the opportunity of watersports, lazing on the Bolsena Lake beach, horse riding, mountain biking or hiking in the Monte Rufeno National Park.
…WHERE THE POPE PIUS XII LOVED TO HAVE HIS PICNICS
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During the centuries, the history of the noble Caterini family is often linked to that of the Pacellis’, who were also a wealthy and important family from the village of Onano. The therapeutic environment of Santa Cristina was often suggested by doctors as a good place for recoveries. This is why Eugenio Pacelli during his summer vacations as a young priest often came to the area in order to spend his free time with the Pacelli and Caterini relatives. Above there are photographs of the future Pope Pius XII among his relatives during some relaxing excursions here to the countryside.