The Lake Trasimeno is the biggest lake of the Italian peninsula. I took one day to drive around and verify how big it is really. And how many nice places to stay it has. The islands I didn’t visit but must be a great pleasure especially in summer time.
Different to other lakes this one has no major river going in or out of the lake and the water depends on the season and how much the surrounding cities are taking off the water. Nearby there is the Rover Po and the River Tiber – nut not touching the lake itself.
Amazing the lake’s average deepness is only 4 meters! This muddy and shallow water is rich in fish like tench, carp and pike. I saw a few people fishing everywhere.
Like other much larger lakes (e. g. Dead Sea or Aral Sea) it has no outlet and makes it even more sensitive to pollution and over using by human needs.
To save the lake’s environment the communes around the lake established a natural park in 1995. The 50 kilometer of bicycle path is one of great things to do in the area.
When surrounding the lake I started at San Feliciano and going north to Torricella, Monte del Lago, Tuoro, Passignano sul Lago, Borghetto and later Castiglione del Lago and San Arcangelo. I saw little villages, boat-hiring and castles. Hotels and restaurants, villas and ugly private houses. Especially the castles and medieval cities were built to control the traffic to Perugia.
Unfortunately I had no time to see all and so I skipped the islands. There are three islands: Isola Maggiore (inhabited), Isola Polvese (the biggest) and Isola Minore. The largest one is a scientific-didactic park and has some churches and a Monastery and a castle as well. A ‘must do’ next I have the possibility.
The Isola Maggiore has only 35 inhabitants… a perfect lace for me to live… if it would not be an island! Very interesting fact: Fishing, tourism and agriculture are the income of the island but also Irish lace making, introduced in the 19th century.
I had a few stops to sit at the shore and enjoy the sun, the aquatic birds and just walk around the villages. The main stop was in Castiglione del Lago. I saw this city before going to Perugia and had no intention to see it then. But at least I am very happy I have gone to visit it. It’s such a nice borgo.
A must see is also the leaning tower.. no, the one of Pisa I have already seen twice but there is one at Vernazzano.
What about you: would you be interested to see this leaning tower? Or more the nature? Or try out the scientific-didactic path on Isola Polvese?
Trasimeno Lake, Umbria/Italy:
For further information:
Trasimeno Lake
