Among woods, green hills, and breathtaking views you will reach Alviano, a beautiful fortified medieval town that rises above the Tiber with a fantastic and surreal landscape of ravines, clay hills eroded in a spectacular manner by the water and wind. The town, recognizable for its mighty castle, hides an illustrious history: probably originating in the early Middle Ages (as Albianum), in the 15th century Alviano became capital of a small State, with a waterfall with the same name. At the time of Bartoleomeo degli Alviano, the manor house was enlarged, contributing to the modern-day appearance; it has a square layout with angular towers and a Renaissance courtyard. Alviano Castle today is home to the City Hall, which holds Roman remains and the Museum of Farm Life. Magnificent, inside there is a chapel completely decorated with 17th-century frescoes partially attributed to Giuseppe Bastiani. As mentioned, the natural environment is also of great interest, including the territory of the town, beginning with Lake Alviano.
Lake Alviano
Created between 1963 and 1964 for hydroelectrics by means of a dam of the Tiber, the artificial basin of Alviano has been protected since 1978 by a splendid WWF oasis, in virtue of all of its excellent importance as a humid area and resting place for migratory birds. The lake is surrounded by typical lacustrine vegetation (reeds, willows, alder, etc...) and forms a very pleasant square landscape. The oasis has become a privileged location for those passionate about birdwatching; here countless rare examples of migratory birds can be admired (from special huts). It also offers a lot for the birdwatching novice thanks to the help of the guides and many informative signs that are well-structured. You must pay to enter; the oasis is open on weekends.
