Castiglione Del Lago overlooks
Lago Trasimeno (the largest lake in Umbria). The town is
located on a hill and promontory (cape) — breathtaking. The
town has Etruscan origins and because of its location, was constantly
under attack from its neighbors. The town has a lovely medieval
center, complete with castle, gates and walls! The Castello
Del Leone/Rocca Del Leone (13th century) has been
destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, even though the town was
never conquered. This medieval fortress is military architecture
at its best! Towers, turrets and a pentagonal shape…..connected
to the fortress by a passageway is the Palazzo Della Corgna
(16th century) located at the end of the cape (views
glorious views). Inside there are frescoes by Il Pomarancio (Niccolo
Circignani). In the Chiesa Di Santa Maria Maddalena
you’ll find a masterpiece by Eusebio da San Giorgio —
Madonna and Child with Saints. If you wish to do some sunbathing
— there are some beaches along the lake just below town.
There’s a good market on the third Saturday of each month
in Castiglione Del Lago.
Panicale is a medieval hilltop
delight…..a fortified village located just south of Lake
Trasimeno. You’ll find walls, gates and charm in Panicale.
You enter through gates (Porta Fiorentina or Porta Perugina) to
get to the old center. Here you’ll find the Collegiata
di San Michele (with a beautiful façade). Inside you’ll
find a fresco by Tommaso Fini (also known as Masolino Da Panicale)
entitled The Annunciation of the Virgin. In the lovely Chiesa
di San Sebastiano, a small church located just outside the
town walls is a frescoe by Il Perugino (Pietro Vannucci) called
the Martyrdom of S. Sebastiano. There is a lace museum
in the old (and former) Chiesa di Sant’Agostino.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear a concert or see
a play in the 17th century theatre. The curtain was
painted by early 19th century by Pier Vittori. Market
day is Monday in Panicale (there’s also a small one on Fridays).