Itinerary
2:
Trasimeno
Lake
(20 km - 15 Minuts)
Lake
Trasimeno, a lake of quaternary residual geological origin
framed by gentle Umbrian rolling hills, is central Italy’s
largest lake, with a total surface of 128 square
Kilometres and a maximum depth of 6 metres. The lake includes
three islands, two of which may be reached by ferry from
one of the towns lying along the coast. The lake area is
comprised within the Parco Regionale del Lago Trasimeno,
a park of great natural and landscape interest, offering
its visitors fine walking, cycling and biking tracks immersed
in the natural beauty of the country which allow to fully
appreciate the territory from a historical, environmental,
artistic and gastronomic point of view.
Several villages perched around ancient medieval fortifications
are scattered along the shores, each offering a peculiar
story relating to the lake which still represents, for many,
a good fishing resource.
ISLAND
Isola
Maggiore
Not far from the shores of Passignano sul Trasimeno lies
the only inhabited island of the lake, featuring a 15th
century original village. Isola Maggiore was the destination
of one of St. Francis's hermitages; here the Saint spent
40 days in fasting and prayer before pursuing his journey
to Cortona and later on to Babylon. The island can be easily
reached by ferry from Passignano or Tuoro and its an ideal
resort for relax and to enjoy unusual views of the lake.
Isola
Polvese
Located right off the shores of San Feliciano, Isola Polvese
is the lake’s largest island and it is currently uninhabited.
Its territory is scattered with remains of ancient settlements
ranging from Etruscan times to the period of the Olivetan
monks which founded here around 1100 a monastery and covered
great part of the island with groves of olive trees, the
symbol of the order. A location of great natural interest,
immersed in the quiet of the lake the island is an ideal
wintering area for a number of aquatic bird species which
may found here shelter and food in its reed thickets and
Holm-oak groves.
COAST VILLAGES
Castiglione
del Lago (16 Km)
Perched on a limestone spur overlooking the lake, the town
is dominated by a medieval fortress, a symbol of the power
of the Crogna family which even held sway over Perugia for
some time.
Passignano
(20 Km)
An old village gathered around the walls of a fortress;
a very charming town for its narrow alleyways in the older
part and its board walk along the waterfront Passignano
is an ideal departure point for visits to the islands.
Panicale
(25 Km)
This small typically medieval town is a real artistic jewel
with its palaces and churches embellished with significant
works of art; worth seeing is the church of San Sebastiano
frescoed by the Perugino.
Tuoro
(13 Km)
Local tradition has it that in front of this town, lying
a few miles away from the lake shores, took place, in 217
B.C., the Battle of lake Trasimeno, a battle that has come
down through history in the words of Livius and Plutarcus,
where the roman army suffered a crushing defeat by Hannibal’s
cartaginian troops and Flaminius’s legions were completely
annihilated. Over 16000 were killed and amongst them the
Consul himself.
Itinerary
1:
Cortona
(11 km - 15 Minuts) |
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