Ferry Tour

The guided tour of the Islands of Lake Trasimeno, organized by Cortona Tourist Guide, starts from Isola Maggiore, which is characterised by an old fishing village that is still inhabited and preserves several examples of medieval and Renaissance arts. In 1211 Saint Francis of Assisi came here on retreat during the Lent period. It is still possible to visit the Chapel that shows his passage and the Rock where the Saint stopped to pray.

The guided tour of Isola Maggiore also includes a visit to the ancient Parish Church of San Michele Arcangelo, where a few remains of frescoes made from the 13th to the 16th century are still visible. We will also enjoy the naturalistic beauty of the island through a lovely walk up to its panoramic point.

The tour will continue in the afternoon with a trip to Isola Polvese, the biggest of the three islands with a 6-km long circumference. This island is a wildlife oasis and a protected natural area and has been declared scientific-educational park within the Regional Park of Trasimene.

It has been exploited for fishing since the Middle Ages and has been inhabited since the 13th century by religious communities who built several churches, whose remains are still preserved.

The so-called Piscina del Porcinai or Garden of Aquatic Plants is also very interesting: it was built in the late 1950s according to the project of landscape designer Pietro Porcinai, who wished to redevelop an abandoned sandstone quarry. There are also some lovely beaches where one can spend a few hours of complete relaxation.

Difficulty:

Medium, with some uphill stretches.