Bolsena

Bolsena (ancient Volsinii), a town in the province of Rome, on the north shore of the Lake of Bolsena (Lacus Volsiniensis), 20 miles NNW. of Viterbo. It now has only 2200 inhabitants; but prior to 280 B.C. it was a place of great importance, forming one of the twelve Etruscan cities. At Bolsena, in 1263, a doubting priest was said to have been convinced of the truth of the doctrine of transubstantiation, by witnessing the flow of blood from the Host he had just consecrated; and in commemoration of this miracle (the subject of a masterpiece), Urban IV. instituted, in 1264, the festival of Corpus Christi. Half a mile from Bolsena are a few traces of the Etruscan city, and many fragments of the later Roman one remain.—The Lake of Bolsena is a fine expanse of water about 10 miles long and 8 broad, but its shores are very unhealthy. It occupies a volcanic hollow. The Marta River carries its waters into the Mediterranean. It has two islands, Bisentina and Martana, which were favourite autumnal retreats of Pope Leo X. See ETRURIA.