The little town of Bracciano is built on a trachyte mound overlooking the south-west side of Lake Bracciano. It is made up of the medieval village built round the imposing castle, and the modern part which has developed along the lakeside and the railway. It was an Etruscan settlement originally, and began to assume historical importance in the fourteenth century when it became first the fief and then the dukedom of the Orsini family. Later it passed into the possession of the Odelaschi family.The most important building to visit is the Orsini-Odelaschi Castle which was begun in the second half of the fifteenth century. It is a Renaissance building with medieval overtones. It is in the form of a pentagon with a cylindrical tower at each corner and a double course of cruciform windows. Through a sixteenth century door, you enter a triangular courtyard which has a staircase with rising columns.

Within the castle are paintings by Zuccari, statues by Bernini, plasterwork, weapons, archaeological finds and valuable furniture and fittings. You can also visit the eighteenth century Church of Santa Maria Novella with its lovely cloisters, and the baroque Parish Church of Santo Stefano which has a sixteenth century bell tower.

Nearby is the picturesque village of Manziana, a short distance from the lake and with wonderful views. It is a summer holiday spot and an excellent health resort, surrounded by woods. About 10 km from Manziana, on the road to Tolfa, you come to Bagni di Stigliano (see Thermal Spas) which has two springs of hyperthermal water containing salt, iodine and sulphur, which is particularly good for treating arthropathy and metabolism disorders.