Castiglione del Lago, the pentagonal village of Etruscan origin

Castiglione del Lago, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, owes its name to the medieval fortress built in the mid‑thirteenth century, the famous “Castello del Leone,” whose pentagonal shape was inspired by the constellation of Leo. With roots going back to the Etruscan and Roman periods, the village was an important encampment along the Via Cassia Aretina. Mentioned in the 10th century as Castello Chiugino, it was destroyed in 1247 by the people of Arezzo and Cortona, only to be rebuilt as the Castello del Leone. In 1550, Pope Julius III established the Marquisate of Castiglione, initiating a period of urban and architectural renewal that culminated in its elevation to a Duchy in 1617. The village still preserves the charm of its millenary history.

The beauties of Castiglione del Lago

The Palazzo della Corgna, expanded between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Galeazzo Alessi on the pre‑existing Baglioni palace, with probable supervision by Vignola, is one of the main architectural treasures of the village. Inside unfolds a vast cycle of frescoes of late Umbrian‑Tuscan Mannerism, extending over more than 1,200 square meters, celebrating the deeds of the condottiero Ascanio della Corgna, alternating episodes of Roman heroes with scenes inspired by Greek mythology. Most of the works, created by Niccolò Circignani, known as Pomarancio, have been recently restored, returning the palace to its ancient splendor. A suggestive walkway along the walls connects the palace to the Rocca del Leone, a five‑pointed medieval fortress inspired by the constellation of Leo, built starting in 1247 and positioned on a spur overlooking Lake Trasimeno, a symbol of military strategy in the Middle Ages.

Among the churches, Santa Maria Maddalena (1836) preserves a fourteenth‑century Sienese Madonna del Latte, a panel attributed to a pupil of Perugino, and frescoes by Mariano Piervittori. San Domenico (first half of the seventeenth century), commissioned by Duke Fulvio Alessandro, impresses with its coffered ceiling and numerous Baroque works, completing the historical and artistic heritage of Castiglione del Lago.

Events in Castiglione del Lago

Castiglione del Lago offers spectacular events throughout the year. In December, Luci sul Trasimeno transforms the village into a unique experience: the Christmas Tree on the water, one kilometer long and lit with over 2,500 LED lights, can be admired from the hilltop, accompanied by a monumental Nativity scene, video mapping on the keep, and festive theatrical performances. In spring, the Festa del Tulipano celebrates the colors of the season, followed by the Meeting di Primavera (April 23–25) with a gathering of ultralight aircraft, and Coloriamo i Cieli (April 30–May 2), an international festival of kites and hot‑air balloons, accompanied by Qualità Trasimeno, a showcase of local food and wine products. Summer begins with the summer solstice and the Romantic Night in the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. In August, the Classical Music Festival, the International Folklore Festival, and the Trasimeno Blues Festival take place, while on July 22 the Feast of Mary Magdalene features a suggestive nighttime boat procession on the lake.

Photo credits:Stefano Tammaro