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Isola Maggiore
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Isola Maggiore

Isola Maggiore is the second largest island on Lake Trasimeno and it is covered by a dense vegetation of olive trees, holm oaks and cypresses. Unlike Isola Polvese and Isola Minore, today it is still inhabited, with a small village on its western shore.

 

The settlement dates back to the early Middle Ages, and a community of Friars Minor settled here starting from the end of the 13th century. They hosted St. Francis on the island throughout an entire Lenten season.
The small village consists of one completely paved road overlooked by the houses of the 13th and 14th centuries, including the lovely house of the Captain of the People. At the end of the village is the Church of St. Salvatore, that houses some parts of a polyptych by Sano di Pietro, formerly in the church of the Franciscan monastery.
Isola Maggiore
Isola Maggiore
Isola Maggiore
Isola Maggiore

The southernmost tip of the island houses Guglielmi Castle, that today is in an unfortunate state of abandonment. Built by the marquis Giacinto Guglielmi, its neo-gothic forms reuse the structures of the ancient monastery of Franciscans, of which only the small church of St. Francis is left. Another important building is the Church of St. Michael Archangel with frescoes made between the 13th and the 16th centuries and a Crucifix that is perhaps attributable to Bartolomeo Caporali.

 

Bibliography
Guerrieri O. (1988), Il lago Trasimeno e il suo territorio: Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, Magione, Paciano, Panicale; Passignano, Piegaro, Tuoro, Le Isole, Perugia, Benucci.
Caruso P. (1999), Benvenuti in Umbria, guida ai 92 comuni, Collazzone, Grilligraf Editrice.T.C.I. (2004), Umbria, Milano, Turing Editore.
 
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