Castiglione del Lago, Medieval fortress town in Umbria, Italy
Castiglione del Lago is a municipality in the province of Perugia, spreading across a rocky headland that juts into Lake Trasimeno. Three main gates pierce the defensive walls while five watchtowers mark the perimeter and open views across the water.
The settlement began on a Roman island called Novum Clusium, which gradually became connected to the mainland. Emperor Frederick II rebuilt it as a military stronghold in 1247, reshaping its strategic importance.
The name comes from a medieval fortress whose outline, seen from above, resembled a reclining lion. Residents gather by the shore for an aperitif while fishermen moor their boats along the base of the defensive walls.
Public bus routes link the town to Perugia and Arezzo, with the journey passing through rolling hills and olive groves. Accommodation options range from countryside farmhouses to smaller hotels along the lakefront promenade.
Inside the pentagonal fortress lies a natural amphitheater that uses the lake as a backdrop during performances. The structure connects to the Palazzo della Corgna through a covered passageway that once served as a secret escape route.
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