83 – (ITA STAGE 35) – Pozzuolo – Paciano

Things to see: Ducal Palace, or Corgna Palace, the only Royal palace in Umbria, with beautifully frescoed rooms by the artists Pomarancio and Salvio Salvini, among them the Main Hall and the Throne Room (the paintings illustrate mythological subjects) and also the deeds of Marquis Ascanio della Corgna, commissioned by Marquis Diomede della Corgna, on the ground floor which was by the family as an intellectuals drawing room. The fine frescoes illustrate upside-down histories of the world, Diana and Callistos (done by Salvini). Of the original furniture only 24 chairs remain. Castello del Leone: peculiar for its triangular tower. Originally built under Friedrich II Hohenstaufen, it was restored by Friar Elias of Cortona, and Marquis Ascanio I gave it its present shape. It is connected to the Ducal Palace by a fine walkway behind the crenellations giving onto the lake. The town is still encircled by he original defense walls with three gates: Perugina, Florentine and Sienese. The town plan, based on the number three was conceived by Galeazzo Alessi, after Vignola’s and suggestions from Ascanio della Corgna.

POZZUOLO UMBRO (Simply = Pozzuolo) is a locality in the Municipality of Castiglione del Lago (Perugia), 8 Km from the Town Hall. It dates back to the Early Middle Ages, on the hills west of Lake Trasimeno which are a watershed between the Lake and the Val di Chiana of Siena. Franco Rasetti , a collaborator of Enrico Fermi was born here and had originally trained as a paleontologist. Pozzuolo’s attractions are its beautifully cultivated countryside, its agriturismo establishments, cellars and olive oil presses. Before resuming our walk in the direction of Paciano, we cannot forget to visit Castiglione del Lago, interesting for its position, but most of all for its monuments and its historical centre. Having visited Castiglione del Lago we shall return to the watershed, bearing in mind that the ancient road has been completely paved with tarmac, although it has been in existence since the Etruscans because it kept them out of the marshes, today reclaimed and luscious. We continue to admire this luxuriant landscape, with pleasant view on the two twin lakes, and farmhouses standing conspicuous on top of their rolling hills. If we are well informed we may come across Etruscan tombs dug in the ground and only visible to the well informed.

Leaving Pozzuolo we take the road to Gioiella,  a small village on the ridge, that we reach after 4.5 kilometers of paved road, without getting to Casamaggiore, due to interruption of the path (in this way we don’t follow the instructions of the guide, at least until the Municipality of Cstiglione del Lago will reopen the route).  We carry on toward Vaiano and after 2,3 Km we halt to visit an Etruscan burial chamber underground, recently restored and open to the public, provided with explanatory boards. In 2 Km we shall reach the hamlet of Vaiano. After 1,5 Km there is a crossroad: to the left is Villastrada a pleasant hamlet with restoration, and a little beyond we shall admire some very ancient olive trees; we shall cross yet another pleasant hamlet: Cimbano, and beyond we shall come to a more recent village: Cantagallina, On an obviously ancient route once dotted with Etruscan farms. At this point we leave the ridge and descend for 2 Km toward State highway 71, and the railway, and after that we walk uphill towards Paciano, our goal for the day. Once approached the railway we turn left and follow the railway for 1,5 Km and turn right. We cross the railway and the Sh71, and in 500 m we have reached the main Canal of the valley, which we cross and start going gently uphill for 3,5 Km to reach Paciano.