The itinerary among the 6 most beautiful lakes in Italy arrives in Umbria, on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, nestled in the hills in the heart of central Italy. Crossroads of pilgrims and travelers since ancient times, today it is among the most sought after by those who want a holiday of relaxation and culture; not surprisingly, it is located near Perugia, Orvieto, Todi, Assisi, Cortona and even Florence!
Fonte: italia.it
Despite being a tourist resort and, therefore, a mainly summer holiday destination, Lake Trasimeno also offers beautiful villages such as Castiglione del Lago, Magione and Passignano, all places to visit to discover the secrets and peculiarities.
- Isola Maggiore: is the only one of Lake Trasimeno to be inhabited. The most interesting stops include the Church of San Salvatore and the Guglielmi Castle;
- Polvese Island: is the largest of the three islands and is part of the Regional Park of Trasimeno. Here you can admire the Church of San Giuliano, the Monastery of San Secondo and the Medieval Castle.
Castiglion del Lago
The village of Castiglion del Lago is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy; it overlooks Lake Trasimeno and, accessing from one of the two doors, you can enjoy a fantastic view from above
Fonte: italia.it
Places to visit include the Palazzo Ducale complex and the Rocca del Leone. Arriving for lunch time you can taste the best typical dishes in the many local trattorias, while the afternoon can be dedicated to the purchase of food and wine products and souvenirs in the countless shops in the center.
Città della Pieve
A few kilometers from Lake Trasimeno stands Città della Pieve, a village perched on a plateau that became famous around the 2000s for the tv series “Carabinieri”, shot right inside.
Fonte: italia.it
A typical event of the area is the Infiorata: it usually takes place at the beginning of the summer season and involves the creation of paintings using exclusively flower petals. The works are reported on the road floor, so as to color and beautify the country (although for a few hours).
Regional Park of Lake Trasimeno
For those who love birdwatching, the Oasis La Valle within the Regional Park of Lake Trasimeno is the ideal destination: from here, in fact, pass many species of birds, on which you can find information in the nearby Visitor Center.
Fonte: wikimedia.org
Borgo di Panicale
Picturesque and charming, the village of Panicale is perched on a hill with a breathtaking view. Its structure is concentric circles, typical of the medieval era, and the architecture of the period there are still different expressions, such as the Palazzo del Podestà, the Collegiate Church of San Michele and the Castle of Montalera.
Fonte: stradaoliodopumbria.it
Passignano sul Trasimeno
Another characteristic village is Passignano, with a massive medieval fortress, known for a very interesting summer event: the Palio delle Barche, followed by the Fire of the Castle, during which numerous fireworks are fired to recreate a kind of burning inside the castle.
Fonte: ilborgosullago.com
What to eat at Lake Trasimeno: typical dishes and wines
Umbria is a land of historical beauty and landscapes without any doubt, but we must not underestimate its gastronomic tradition. The recipes handed down from father to son are really many and anyone who is visiting Lake Trasimeno can not withdraw in front of a delicious tasting.
Fonte: lacucinaitaliana.it
In particular, it is recommended to taste:
- umbrichelli: also known as bigoli or pici, consist of a kind of spaghetti made by hand with a mix of wheat flour and wheat, one egg per 600 grams of flour and tomato sauce;
- the Trasimeno bean: a very tasty small bean, crock in the earthenware and then seasoned with simple local oil;
- the tegamaccio: also called cacciucco del lago, is a fish soup, usually made from carp, eel, pike and perch;
- the milkman: is the king of local fish fried, cooked and served whole in the packages prepared directly on the shores of the lake;
- carp in porchetta: made with wild fennel, rosemary, garlic, lard, boiled bacon, salt and pepper or, alternatively, stuffed with Umbrian bread soaked in milk together with fennel, lard and rosemary.
And how to accompany these delicious dishes if not with a glass of good local wine? Those who love red wine certainly cannot resist the elegance of Sangiovese and Gamay del Trasimeno, whereas those who prefer white wine can evaluate Grechetto, nectars to drink responsibly while enjoying one of the most beautiful regions of Italy.
Copertina: trasimenoland
