Montefiascone

Montefiascone is a town and comune in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region of Italy. It is situated on the hills overlooking the northeastern shore of Lake Bolsena, about 100 kilometers north of Rome. The town's elevated position offers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. Montefiascone is known for its historical significance and its connection to a particular wine.

Historically, Montefiascone has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of Etruscan and Roman settlements in the area. Its strategic location made it an important center throughout the Middle Ages. The town's most prominent landmark is the Rocca dei Papi, a medieval fortress and papal palace that served as a summer residence for popes in the 13th and 14th centuries. The construction of the Rocca began in the 12th century, and it played a significant role in the political and religious events of the era. The Cathedral of Santa Margherita d'Antino, with its impressive dome, is another notable building in the town.

Montefiascone is particularly famous for its Est! Est!! Est!!! wine, a white wine produced in the surrounding hills. The legend behind the wine's name tells of a German bishop, Johannes Fugger, who, in his travels to Rome in 1111, sent his servant ahead to scout for good wine. The servant was to write "Est" (Latin for "It is") on the doors of inns where he found good wine. Upon finding a particularly excellent wine in Montefiascone, he repeatedly wrote "Est! Est!! Est!!!" on the tavern door. The bishop, following his servant, tasted the wine and agreed with his assessment, leaving his entire fortune to the church in Montefiascone. Today, the wine remains a local specialty.