Telling you about the beauty of Bracciano is a pleasure surpassed only by the possibility of discovering it in the first person, which I want you to do if you are ever nearby.
But let's start from the beginning.
Ah, no, don't worry, not from the real beginning located somewhere in the tenth century, when this village was born, it would take too long. Because it is a truly ancient village and has had many experiences.
Just to mention the Saracens, the Bracci family, the Orsini, a couple of popes including Borgia, the Odescalchi, Tom Cruise and Eros Ramazzotti.
Ah, perhaps the latter are not very old, but they have contributed to giving visibility to this beautiful town by choosing to get married in the mighty castle of Bracciano, which did not bring them much luck, but the fault certainly cannot be attributed to the place.
To fully appreciate the wonders of Bracciano it is necessary to have an "aerial view" that will better assist you to understand the jewel that I am praising you.
Located on the shores of Lake Bracciano, an enchanting volcanic lake of a very deep blue which, in addition to the village from which it takes its name, hosts two other noteworthy places: Anguillara and Trevignano.
[caption id="attachment_50632" align="alignnone" width="750"] View of Anguillara Sabazia[/caption]
Our village is located higher than its lake sisters that spread along the lake.
Arriving from Rome, in fact, the traveller will find himself catapulted into a postcard scene that shows off the ancient castle and the old village in the foreground and the dark sapphire of the lake framed by the lush green in the background.
Nestled halfway between Rome and Viterbo, Bracciano is also a stone's throw from the sea and not far from the mountain, so as to give our traveller the opportunity to discover the treasures of Tuscia, the Etruscan tombs of Cerveteri , or the Bracciano-Martignano Natural Park.

The castle and the village of Bracciano

The first, obvious advice for our visitor is to "go and see the Castle of Bracciano". And when I say to see, I mean to view, not just to visit.
Of course, looking around the castle is a must for the attentive visitor, but what is essential even for the most hasty traveller is to see Bracciano Castle.

To see the castle you need a little strategy: if you are an impatient and eager visitor keen to find out everything immediately, if you get too close to the castle walls, if you stand below its imposing towers, well, you will see little or nothing!
The surrounding walls, the mighty ramparts, the overall size of the structure: everything will overwhelm your desire to admire this architectural beauty, as it is of enormous size.
But move away a bit, get off on Via Principe di Napoli and turn to look back: you will see a piece of beauty that will make you understand the whole. Or go to the open area that leads to the entrance of the castle: the majesty of nature close to the mastery of man will open before you.

The village of Bracciano rests on the castle walls, the narrow streets allow the visitor to go only on foot, otherwise he could not admire the old houses, the flower pots near the gates or on the steep stairs in the labyrinth of fairytale passages that meet us at every step.
And in the village, between traditional restaurants and windows open on the street, all the streets lead to the Sentinel, a place which, as the name implies, watches over the valley and the lake below.

Bracciano lake

From the village you go down to the lake, to touch its clear and fresh waters.

Per i più impavidi, la passeggiata a piedi risulterà più impegnativa al ritorno, specie se si prende la scorciatoia chiamata ingannevolmente Via del Riposo.
For the more fearless, the walk will be more demanding on the way back, especially if you take the shortcut deceptively called Via del Riposo.
For lovers of comfortable life, however, you can go by car. To stroll along the lakefront and enjoy a lunch in one of the restaurants offering whitefish, dairy products and other goodies from the lake.
The beach of pebbles or black sand makes the shores of the lake dark, but the water is transparent and bathing on hot summer days is a real pleasure.
If, on the other hand, you did not come to sunbathe or bathe, you can always make the ducks, the geese or the swans happy by throwing them a few crumbs of bread.

The fauna is varied, some animals (like these feathered ones always hunting for food) are more accustomed to the presence of man, others are more reserved, but if you have the necessary patience and tranquillity, you can make interesting meetings on the shore at the lake.
For the more sporty, the lake offers a wide range of activities, including sailing, but also windsurfing, SUP or, more calmly, fishing.
From near or far, Lake Bracciano always reveals a different side, never the same.

The territory of Bracciano

For the visitor who arrived in Bracciano there is not only the castle and the lake, because Bracciano is part of a territory that is full of beauties to discover.
Not far away we find Castel Giuliano, a hamlet of Bracciano, a picturesque little place forgotten by time. Continuing further, on foot and in a trekking outfit, you reach the Cascatelle, a series of waterways that plunge scenically between rocks of unexpected heights, in the midst of a primordial-looking nature.
In Vigna di Valle, further along the lake, we find the Air Force Historical Museum with a collection of planes that have made the history in our country.

If, on the other hand, you are ready for a slightly longer trip, a few kilometres from Bracciano there is Lake Martignano, the smallest and wildest ‘brother’ of Lake Bracciano, which is certainly worth at least one visit. Sunk among rougher valleys, it will look like a mirror of water of a deep blue like that of a gem set in nature to the visitor who arrives from the top of the hills that embrace it.
Just north of Bracciano there is another place to discover on foot, perhaps in the company of a four-legged friend who will enjoy the walk very much: the ancient Monterano, near Canale Monterano. It is another place wrapped in the charm of time, a film set of various films including Ben Hur and Il Marchese del Grillo.
And now, friends, come and discover Bracciano, its beauties are waiting to enter your heart and memory. See you soon!