Trasimeno Lake and the walled village
The Park was created to protect and at the same time exploit Lake
Trasimeno, one of the largest lakes of the Italian peninsula with a
surface of 128km/q, a little less than Lake Como.
The Park includes all the surrounding area of the lake, and therefore
also the historical centres like Castiglione del Lago and Passignano.
Lake Trasimeno has been historically called "the lake of Perugia"
and this definition clearly highlights the importance that the lake
basin has always had and still has for all north-western Umbria and
for the territory of the Tuscan Chiana.
Lake Trasimeno has all the features of a great natural resource which
must be strictly protected and promoted as far as the uses compatible
to its conservation are concerned.
There are three islands in the lake: Polvese, Maggiore and Minore.
On the islands, there are olive trees and pines.
The waters of the lake house a rich ichthyofauna: tenches, eels, carps,
pikes, and perches. The balance existing among the species seems to
have been broken by the introduction of the cat-fish or because of the
changes of the habitat. The avifauna consists of birds of prey such
as the short-toed eagle, the eagle owl, and the osprey.
Zoom on the photo
Towns around lake trasimeno
Magione. The name of Magione, which was first mentioned
in 1075, derives from the Castle of the Knights of Malta. Today this
building rises in the middle of modern urban centre, and is characterized
by a square plant with circular towers and a courtyard on which, on
the three sides, three overlapped loggias appear.
The most ancient nucleus of Passignano sul Trasimeno is still today
encircled by the middle age walls which testify the development the
centre underwent during the Roman Empire, evolving from a small agricultural
village to a castle, which, after the Lordship of Uguccione II in the
917, was constantly aimed at by Arezzo, Perugia and Florence.
Castiglione del Lago. Castiglione del Lago has been
constructed on a limestone cliff cape on the east side of Lake Trasimeno.
Etrurians were probably the first to occupy this area, as confirmed
by the findings of tombs in the area.
After the Roman occupation, the village belonged respectively to the
marquis of Tuscany, to the abbey of S.Germano from Campoleone, to Perugia,
to the Duke Della Corgna until 1647, again to the grand-duke of Tuscany
and, in the XVIII century to the Papal State. Inside the urban centre,
the middle age town walls, the Town hall and the palace of Della Corgna
Dukes are still well preserved. The most fascinating building of all
the village is without any doubt the castle which, with its four towers,
represents one of the most remarkable examples of military art in Umbria.
Paciano. Its origins are still today very well testified
by the town walls with towers and access doors and by the Tower of Orlando:
a ruin of a more ancient village few kilometres away from the town.
The church of S.Carlo is characterized by an elegant door, dating back
to XVII century. It accommodates, among the paintings of local painters,
those of Francesco di Castel of della Pieve, which is believed to be
the teacher of the great artist Perugino.
Panicale. Like the other towns of the region, it still
maintains a medieval aspect due to the remains of the old town walls
and the fortified doors.
Although the church of the Madonna of the Slabs and the one of S.Augustin
are very remarkable buildings, the main attraction of the place is the
magnificent view on Lake Trasimeno and on the valley of Nestore Torrent.
Those who are interested to see artistic works, can visit the church
of S.Sebastiano and enjoy two frescoes of the great artist Perugino:
"Martyrdom of St. Sebastiano" and "Incoronazione di Maria"
as well as the beautiful facade of the Collegiata, which locates in
St. Michele square.
Piegaro. This town rises among the oaks forests on
the hill, along the oriental side of Torrent Nestore valley.
The town offers the possibility to get inside the green of the umbrian
forests along the paths leading to Mount Petrarvella and Mount Pausillo,
or to visit the close middle age village of Cibottola, once the centre
of one of the first Franciscan convents.
Tuoro sul Trasimeno. This town is situated in the place
where in 217 B.C. the famous battle of Trasimeno was carried out; the
battle between the Rome army and the Carthaginian soldiers, led by Hannibal.
The foundation of the town, however, took
