Lake Trasimeno is one of the most beautiful lakes on the Italian peninsula. It lies just over the border of Tuscany near Cortona, and dominates the northwestern part of Umbria.
The lake is surrounded on three sides by the hills that are so common throughout the region, with a lowland stretching out from the west of the lake. Olive groves dot the hills surrounding the area, and hills nearest Tuscany also grow many grapes, along with other fruits and vegetables. The climate here is warmer that the other hills surrounding the lake, as they are at a lower elevation. Portions of the shores are covered in many older pines, willows and poplars; many of them over 30m tall.
The towns on the lake are all rather small in population. Some of the notable ones are Passignano sul Trasimeno, Tuoro, Monte del Lago, Torricella, San Feliciano, San Arcangelo, Castiglione del Lago, and Borghetto. Castiglione del Lago is probably the most well known as its the largest peninsula onto the lake and has the largest shoreline by far. The water of Trasimeno remains very clean, with very few large farms and a small population living on the lake it has been able to avoid some of the modern problems.
The lake is surrounded on three sides by the hills that are so common throughout the region, with a lowland stretching out from the west of the lake. Olive groves dot the hills surrounding the area, and hills nearest Tuscany also grow many grapes, along with other fruits and vegetables. The climate here is warmer that the other hills surrounding the lake, as they are at a lower elevation. Portions of the shores are covered in many older pines, willows and poplars; many of them over 30m tall.
The towns on the lake are all rather small in population. Some of the notable ones are Passignano sul Trasimeno, Tuoro, Monte del Lago, Torricella, San Feliciano, San Arcangelo, Castiglione del Lago, and Borghetto. Castiglione del Lago is probably the most well known as its the largest peninsula onto the lake and has the largest shoreline by far. The water of Trasimeno remains very clean, with very few large farms and a small population living on the lake it has been able to avoid some of the modern problems.
Lake Trasimeno has three islands on it: Isola Maggiore, Isola Polvese, and Isola Minore. Isola Maggiore is the second largest and the only one of the three that is inhabited. There is a small fishing village on the island with most of the buildings dating back to the fourteenth century, including the ruins of a Franciscan monastery. Only about 30 people call this island home.
Polvese was once the home of more than 500 people in a small village, as well as a castle near the shore and a monastery. As Trasimeno was fought over by many powers in the region, it came under the attack by Florentine troops in the seventeeth century. By the nineteenth century, a caretaker was the only resident of the island.
The ruins of the monastery and castle are both still very well preserved, with time having little affect on the mighty stone walls. Minore is much smaller and was also once inhabited but now is overgrown with vegetation except for a small anchorage.The climate around the lake is very warm and typically has moderate winters, though there have been some historic years that the lake has completely frozen but they are few and far between.
The lake helps to keep the area more moderate, as even a hot Italian summer will benefit from the lake and its cool breezes. In a typical year, swimming is ideal between May and September.Five ferry boats cross the lake, docking at the major towns to take visitors to the islands or the other towns. They dock at Castiglione del Lago, San Arcangelo, San Feliciano, Tuoro, and a several other minor places. Old castles, mostly in ruins, are all around the lake as it has always held an important place in the region strategically. Small boats are also available for rent in many of the towns on the lake, for fishing or just a fun excursion onto its placid blue waters.
Polvese was once the home of more than 500 people in a small village, as well as a castle near the shore and a monastery. As Trasimeno was fought over by many powers in the region, it came under the attack by Florentine troops in the seventeeth century. By the nineteenth century, a caretaker was the only resident of the island.
The ruins of the monastery and castle are both still very well preserved, with time having little affect on the mighty stone walls. Minore is much smaller and was also once inhabited but now is overgrown with vegetation except for a small anchorage.The climate around the lake is very warm and typically has moderate winters, though there have been some historic years that the lake has completely frozen but they are few and far between.
The lake helps to keep the area more moderate, as even a hot Italian summer will benefit from the lake and its cool breezes. In a typical year, swimming is ideal between May and September.Five ferry boats cross the lake, docking at the major towns to take visitors to the islands or the other towns. They dock at Castiglione del Lago, San Arcangelo, San Feliciano, Tuoro, and a several other minor places. Old castles, mostly in ruins, are all around the lake as it has always held an important place in the region strategically. Small boats are also available for rent in many of the towns on the lake, for fishing or just a fun excursion onto its placid blue waters.
In an attempt to better preserve this gorgeous lake, it was established as a national park that includes the surface and shores of the lake in 1995. A 50km bicycle path was opened in 2003 to allow tourists to better explore it at a leisurely pace, as well as many hiking paths around the hills surrounding it.
Lake Trasimeno lies within a days drive of much of Tuscany, and for any outdoor lover is the perfect day trip. Or a holiday villa rental near the lake would provide you with a much more leisurely experience, as you want have to cram the entire lake into one days sight seeing. You can even rent a castle near the lake!
Lake Trasimeno lies within a days drive of much of Tuscany, and for any outdoor lover is the perfect day trip. Or a holiday villa rental near the lake would provide you with a much more leisurely experience, as you want have to cram the entire lake into one days sight seeing. You can even rent a castle near the lake!
