Isola Maggiore

Isola maggiore

Yesterday, a wonderful autumn day, with temperatures a comfortable 21C , was perfect for a visit to Isola Maggiore, a relaxing 20 minute boat trip from Passignano.
We like to include this excursion on our Painting Holidays because it combines amazing painting and photographic possibilities with the opportunity to relax and enjoy amazing views and relaxing walks.
There is something for everyone. Lake views, numerous species of water birds and butterflies , pheasants and rabbits amongst tranquil olive groves where trees hundreds of years old still produce an abundant harvest. A fishing community complete with its myriad of boats and crumbling jetties, picturesque houses and restaurants, and, of course the ancient churches dating back to the 12 Century. If you are lucky, and we were yesterday, you will also see some of the island’s inhabitants sat chatting in the streets whilst creating beautiful pieces of lace.
Isola Maggiore is the largest of the three Lake Trasimeno islands and where St Francis of Assisi lived as a hermit from 1211.
The population of this tranquil island is currently 35 but in the early 1800’s was 700 .
The island’s economy these days is dependent on tourism, agriculture, fishing and its traditional lace-making but it has an interesting history.,
From February 1944 to June of that year the castle was used as an internment camp for Jews and political prisoners sent there for their own safety by the Prefect of Perugia who had been instructed by the German authorities to send them to a concentration camp instead. After the Fascist authorities left Perugia and the British arrived at Sant’Arcangelo on 19 June they were eventually rowed to safety by the island’s fishermen.
Lago Trasimeno is an incredible beautiful lake whose magnificence and enormity is only truly realised on such a boat trip to the island and to sail back at sunset when the waters turn to liquid gold is a magical and unforgettable experience.