It was two weeks ago, on the day trip that included the ghost town Celleno and the fairy-tale mural town Sant’Angelo. Before we reached either we stopped at the Fortress of the Popes above Lake Bolsena, where I had never been before.
I will have to go back though. The day was murky but the views of the lake were highly promising.
Rocca dei Papi has a reach Pope history, it seems. Uncle and I aren’t really fluent in these matters but we had a look around. The fortress looms above the town along the southern shores of Lake Bolsena called Montefiascone, “Mount Flaškon”, which in Slovenian is a big wine bottle.
There was no bar to be seen but the doors are everywhere, aren’t we lucky? Even though I couldn’t find the little girls’ door: in the monastery-type establishment there was only “uomini” on the doors of the facilities. We are all humans after all.
The first stop, to assess the situation and view Rocca dei Papi from below. 
On top. Uncle deployed to search for a bar and/or toilet. 
In the meantime I have a look around. 
Lake Bolsena. I vow to return on a clearer day. 
A promising church in Montefiascone near the centre of the photo. Filed for next time. 
Height check. Uncle returns with no news. 
I ask him: “Nothing at all?” My doubts are palpable. So I go where he came from. 
I knew it! “Why didn’t you mention doors,” I ask him. 
Bestia can find his toilet more easily. 
That’s a fine and fully protected door. 
I’m hopeful that they can help me here. 
Who else if not St. John Paul the Magno! (He used to be Pope John Paul the Second. I was confused for a moment.) 
I ask uncle to provide another height check. 
And then I enter something and beg for the facilities. 
If they knew I’d be taking photos of their doors, they’d think twice. 
It is here that we are approached and required to leave because “there is nothing there”. 
Okay, okay, we are leaving. 
In the meantime the viewing platform got crowded. 
But the lake was still only potentially there. To be continued next week. The view didn’t improve but there were many more doors.
For Thursday Doors challenge hosted by Dan at No Facilities
This day in my blogging history
An Embarrassment of Riches 
I love how, while taking pictures of doors, you are making mental notes of future doors that require a visit. You are certain to keep Thursday Doors in business for a long time, Manja. And so good og you uncle to provide the visual reference on the height of these great doors. My favorite today is the one where you captioned about the viewing platform being crowded. I love the arches that are formed beneath the little connections between buildings.
I hope you have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan! Oh yes, always on the lookout. Uncle was mighty kind to provide scope. We were without the internet for one full day and that forced me to connect via my phone as a hotspot but it only works on my laptop. Still, better than the phone for blogging. Now it’s back, I hope it lasts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great doors!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sue. I love this place and will return. Need a visitor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“There is nothing there”–do they know you are on a mission?! I like the height check–good uncle! Such pretty doors, Manja.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lois. I was meaning to explain that there were always doors but they might worry that I wanted what was behind the doors. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know this is a Thursday Doors post, but it’s the views I really love!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Sarah, I was also worried that the view would steal the show but it was so murky that the doors still won. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That double door w the chain is so intriguing…wonder what lives behind this locked space.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denny. And we will never know! Might be the monster of Lake Bolsena!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes me want to pee just reading about it Manja. 🙂 Fortunately my bathroom is just down the hallway. An opportunity to explore, however. And great doors. I might have been there with Bestia, peeing on the lawn. –Curt
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hihih, Curt, better not. Those men of cloth know no joke. Thank you!
LikeLike
Laughing. Still…. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course the arches are my favorites. And have I mentioned the light? (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, K. You often mention the light because you know without which there is nothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you’re able to return to collect more great pictures of doors and of the view, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sooner or later, Lynette. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tour, Manja, even if you got kicked out in the end, lol. Is that your uncle of the refrigerator door fame?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahha, indeed, Jean, that is him. Thank you. We were more like politely requested to leave. After I used the facilities, so all was good. 😀
LikeLike
Gotta love that view and I like the door that’s all chained up.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janet! That view will see me again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very fine selection of doors, archways and gates this week. Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, scooj. This is a fascinating place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay, another wonderful door post. Love the place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teresa! That was a good day. All these doors and views and then the ghost town and then the fairy-tale mural town.
LikeLiked by 1 person