Trasimeno Area

 

Two Thousand Years of Art and History.

This is the area around Lake Trasimeno.  It straddles both Umbria and Tuscany geographically although administratively it is part of Umbria.  It is in the exact centre of Italy and called the ‘Green Heart’ of Italy because no words can describe the different shades and hues of green found in the landscape.

Legend has it that Prince Trasimeno, the son of the Etruscan king, Tirreno, met a nymph, Agilla,  on the banks of the lake.  He fell hopelessly in love with her and died.  Since then the lake has been called Trasimeno, and the legend says that on August evenings, when a soft breeze caresses the lake’s water, you can hear Agilla weeping for her prince.

Lake Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake in the area being about 128 sq Kilometeres but it is extremely shallow especially when there is a drought, and a haven for many different species of birds.  There are several beaches along its perimeter and its grassy banks are the most beautiful tranquil places to while away a hot afternoon reading, picnicking or just relaxing. Sunrises and sunsets are breathtakingly beautiful!

Umbria is a land of saints and warriors and artists.  Just to mention a few:  St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, St. Valentine and St. Rita (saint of the impossible).  Then there are the artists:  Signorelli, Perugino, Raphael. 

Warriors -  Because this area was the scene of numerous battles in the middle ages and  especially the Battle of Trasimeno in 217 BC in which more than 16,000 Roman soldiers lost their lives, annihilated by Hannibal’s army.  In our village there is a road and resting place where the army fled seeking refuge from Hannibal’s men.  Every year the festival (Festa dei Barbari) re-enacts this battle.