Lake
Trasimene
- Art towns
- Viewpoints
- Nature trails
- Distance: 15km
Lake Trasimene is the largest in central Italy and the fourth largest among all Italian lakes right after Lake Como. This marvelous place in terms of landscape is surrounded by green hills with spectacular views from sunrise to sunset.
It is a place for rest, meditation, good food but also active life, water sports and sport activities in general. The beaches and hills can offer special moments of meditation and relaxation in the nature away from noise. The traditional cuisine is excellent: meat dishes, freshwater rand saltwater fish and local DOC wines with the “Colli del Trasimeno” label.
Those loving exploration can take advantage of a ferry service that connects the main towns with the lake islands where some historical sites deserve a visit: the Church of San Secondo, the Olivetan Monastery, the Church of San Giuliano, a castle of the 14th century that was recently restored, the Piscina del Porcinai (a garden with water plants), on the Polvese Island. The Museum of Lace, the Church of S. Michele Arcangelo, the House of the Capitan and the Church of S. Salvatore on the Maggiore Island.
Sport lovers can go walking, jogging or biking along a green trail that runs along the shores of the lake or can decide to take kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons.
The Trasimene islands
There are three islands in Lake Trasimene: Polvese, the biggest, Maggiore and Minore, the smallest.
Polvese Island
The Island known as Polvese is situated in the South-Eastern part of the lake and is the largest of the three islands (69.60 hectares). In 1995 the Province of Perugia, which owns the island since 1973, transformed it into a Scientific Didactic Park promoting activities of scientific research, experimentation and environmental education. The eastern and southern parts are characterized by a large wetland populated by several species of birds and amphibians.
Maggiore Island
The island known as Maggiore is the only inhabited island of the lake. Its 18 inhabitants live in an area of 24 hectares comprised in a 2 km perimeter. The island is connected with the mainland through a ferry service to and from the towns of Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Passignano sul Trasimeno and Castiglione del Lago. A system of trails covers the whole island through olive groves and woods of holm oaks, pine trees, cypress trees, poplars and other Mediterranean plant varieties.
Minore Island
The island known as Minore rises about 20 m from the lake surface (at an altitude of 258 m AMSL), has the shape of a comma, a size of about 450 x 260 m and a total area of 0.05 km². It is covered by dense woodlands including pine trees and holm trees populated by a large colony of cormorants.
Fauna of the lake
Among mammals, apart from indigenous animals like foxes, hedgehogs and wild boars, we find shrews. As far as birds are concerned, there are seasonal variations of the species populating the lake area due to migration flows. However, apart from seagulls, we can find great crested grebes, cormorants, common coots, common pochards, wigeons, peacocks, pheasants, herons, and mallards.
Fish stocks are quite rich in this lake: there are 18 different fish species but only 5 are indigenous and not introduced by man. Among the most widespread we find pikes, carps, eels, and perch-trouts. There are also 7 species of amphibians.