Valentano
A Medieval Town in the Province of Viterbo
Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you about Valentano, a beautiful Italian municipality in the province of Viterbo, in Lazio. With its 2,716 inhabitants, Valentano is a typical medieval town, characterized by the presence of numerous tuff buildings.
Its Geographical Position
Valentano is located at 538 m above sea level, to the west of Lake Bolsena, and is surrounded by the peaks of the Apennines, Mount Amiata, and the Cimini Mountains. The municipal territory extends for about 43 km² and is located at the foot of Mount Starnina, on the mountain range of the Volsini Mountains.
The area is characterized by a "high, windy, and cold" climate, but with "very pleasant, good, and delicate" air, as praised for centuries past. In addition, Valentano is positioned near the border with Tuscany and on its territory is Lake Mezzano, where the Olpeta River, the main tributary of the Fiora, originates.
The Origin of the Name
Many hypotheses have been made about the origin of the name Valentano. Some theories link the toponym to the identification of the ancient Etruscan city of Verentum, while others indicate the name derives from a certain Valente, owner of these lands.
Another rather plausible hypothesis supported by scholars is that Pope Leo IX decided to build two castles around Lake Bolsena: one in Val di Lago and the other in a valley rich in alder trees, which was called Valle Ontana.
The History of Valentano
The territory of Valentano has been inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic, as evidenced by the most important prehistoric finds of the pile-dwelling villages located in Lake Mezzano.
The municipality had a significant Etruscan presence, as demonstrated by the archaeological evidence of Spinetto, Vallone, Santa Lucia, and above all Mount Becco, located near Lake Mezzano.
Valentano has undergone many vicissitudes throughout its history, falling under the rule of different populations, including the Romans, the Goths, and the Lombards.
Phytoclimatology
According to the Phytoclimatic Map of Lazio, the area of Valentano falls within the hypomesic region, belonging to the mesic region, in the 6th phytoclimatic unit, with a lower/upper hill thermal type and a subumid upper/lower humid rainfall type.
According to the classification of Pavari (1916), the area belongs to the Castanetum phytoclimatic zone, a warm zone of the 2nd type with summer aridity.
Conclusions
In short, Valentano is a municipality that offers many opportunities for tourists, thanks to its rich history and culture, its enchanting geographical position, and its particular phytoclimatic characteristics. If you are looking for a destination for a day trip or vacation, Valentano is definitely an excellent choice!
