Trasimeno Lake Travel Guide

Trasimeno is the largest lake on the peninsula and the fourth largest in Italy as a whole. It was formed some 50 million years ago at the end of the last ice age, created by melt water from retreating glaciers that covered Europe at this time. The lake is unique because despite having many streams which feed into it from the surrounding hills, it has no natural outlet. Its surrounding hillsides are covered in olive groves and orchards and the plains contain many vegetable plots.

These provide the local restaurants with a sumptuous supply of freshly cultivated produce.The lake was named after an Eutruscan prince, Trasimeno, who while traveling across Italy came upon its beautiful, clear waters. As he rested he came across the lake's protector, a water nymph who lived on an island, now the site of the village of Agello. At this time it was surrounded by water. Prince Trasimeno instantly fell madly in love with the nymph and she enticed him into the lake's waters, where he sadly drowned. To this day, on clear, still evenings, if you listen hard, you can still hear the plaintive cries of Prince Trasimeno as they echo across the lake.

During the second Punic War in 217B.C. the Carthegian leader Hannibal carried out one of the greatest ambushes in history and with only 14,000 men overcame a force of 40,000 Romans. The battle of Trasimeno took place near Tuoro. The shore of the lake acted as a barrier and by using its early morning mist and the opposing hillsides to conceal his troops, Hanibal and his men defeated a much stronger enemy. There are still many places in the surrounding countryside which bear testament to the battle, Sanguineto – Blood River, Ossaia – Place of Bones, Sepoltaglia – Place of Burial, Caporossa – Red Cape, Piegaro – Subdued Place, Peggio – Worse Place, Pugnano – Place of Battles, Pian di Marte – Field of Martyrs. For more information you can visit the Tuoro museum dedicated to the battle where military enthusiasts, historians or the casual observer can find out more.

How to get there
If you are a water sports enthusiast or simply want to enjoy the peace of a quiet, cross- country ramble, then the tranquil waters of Umbria’s Lake Trasimeno and its surrounding countryside are ideal. It is situated just 15 km northwest of Perugia, the capital of Umbria, and it is easily reached by train, automobile or plane.
By air: Ryanair’s Stanstead flight to Perugia Sant Egida Airport is only 25 km away and Rome, Pisa, Bologna and Ancona's airports are all with three hours drive.
By road: The A1 superstade between Rome and Florence skirts the lakes western shores or the E45/ 75 highways run along the east and northern edges.
By train: There are two lines, the main Rome/ Florence train or the Perugia/ Florence line which both travel close by and stop at Tuoro, Passignano, Lago del Castillione and Trentola stations, depending on which train you choose.