Castiglione del Lago

Welcome to Castiglione del Lago, an extraordinary fortified town that sits like a stone crown upon a limestone promontory overlooking Lake Trasimeno. As a scholar of medieval military architecture, I find this town fascinating…

Our exploration begins at the Palazzo della Corgna, the administrative and cultural heart of the town. Built in the 1500s by the powerful della Corgna family—specifically Ascanio della Corgna, a famous condottiero—this palace was…

One of the most thrilling features of Castiglione del Lago is the long, covered walkway or tunnel that connects the Palazzo della Corgna directly to the Rocca del Leone fortress. This passage was a stroke of military genius,…

The Rocca del Leone is one of the most impressive examples of medieval military architecture in Umbria. Constructed in 1247 by Emperor Frederick II, the fortress features a unique pentagonal layout with four corner towers and a…

From the vantage point of Castiglione's walls, the vast expanse of Lake Trasimeno dominates the senses. This is Italy's fourth largest lake, yet it is surprisingly shallow, with an average depth of only about 4 to 5 meters. …

In Castiglione del Lago, the local cuisine is a point of intense pride, particularly the tradition of handmade pasta. The star of the show is 'Pici' (or 'Pichi'), a thick, hand-rolled spaghetti-like pasta made from just flour and…

Dominating the town's skyline along with the fortress is the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. Built in the neoclassical style in the early 1800s, it sits on the site of a much older medieval church. …

As we conclude our walk through the historic streets of Castiglione del Lago, take a moment to look back at the fortress walls as they glow in the late afternoon light. We have explored the strategic brilliance of the Rocca del…