Isola Polvese

Isola Polvese / Polvese Island (Centre of Environmental Experience)

Isola Polvese or Polvese Island is an island located in the southeastern part of Lake Trasimeno, together with Isola Maggiore and Isola Minore in the Umbria region of Italy. It is the largest of three islands in the lake, with an area of approximately 70 hectares (173 acres). The island belongs to the Province of Perugia and is known as a Scientific-Didactic Park, which is part of the Trasimeno Regional Park. The island is administrated by Castiglione del Lago.

History

In ancient times, the island was visited by the Etruscans and the Romans. In the Middle Ages, the island's inhabitants were ruled by Perugia. During that period, churches and a fortress were built. Monks from the Benedictines and Dominican orders were also present on the island during different periods of its history, contributing to its cultural and religious significance.

In 1841, Polvese Island transitioned into private ownership and was used primarily as a hunting area.

In 1939, Biagio Biagiotti initiated the construction of various buildings and roads, alongside planting numerous olive trees all around the island.

In 1973, the Province of Perugia recognized the island's importance and acquired it for preservation and conservation purposes. In 1974, Polvese Island was officially declared a wildlife protection oasis, emphasizing its ecological significance and commitment to safeguarding its natural habitat.

Landscape

The north of Polvese Island is covered in oak woodlands, including plants endemic to the Mediterranean such as holm and ash trees. In the lower woods, trees like guelder rose, laurel, ilex, and privet can be found. The southern area is covered by centuries-old olive trees. An extensive reed thicket that runs from the east to the south defines the humid region. The walkways and the interior of the island are characterized by rosemary hedges and pomegranates, while ornamental plants and trees are found everywhere over the meadows. The island hosts diverse fauna including foxes, martens, hares, and a wide variety of birds, particularly coots, ducks, and herons.

Monuments

Among the notable monuments of the island are the church of Saint Giuliano and Saint Secondo, the Olivetans’ Monastery of Saint Anthony, and the Medieval fortress. The Garden of Aquatic Plants was created in 1959 by the architect Pietro Porcinai as commissioned by Count Giannino Citterio.

Fortress

Near the end of the fourteenth century, various skirmishes for territorial supremacy by the island’s inhabitants resulted in considerable damage to the island and the destruction of most of the island’s boats and fishing equipment. This resulted in Polvese being almost completely abandoned.

In the fifteenth century, a small group of inhabitants decided to build a fortress to defend themselves and a small group of Olivetan monks who resided there. The Fortress consisted of five towers connected by a walkway and a sixth tower, which in the past gave direct access to the lake. It was built merely as a defense for the population and did not have the traditional structure of a lordly residence. However, for a brief period, before the occupation by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1643, the fortress became the seat of the governor of the lake. It was mainly used as a military garrison and refuge to defend the same population of inhabitants and Olivetan monks settled on the island. The fortress was notably built with machicolations used to defend against assailants.

In the 17th century, the island went into a phase of decline: malaria and the humid climate forced the Olivetan monks to leave the monastery of Saint Anthony even before the occupation by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. This led to the slow decay of the fortress, following which numerous structures were destroyed, and the Polvese Island, which by then had a small number of inhabitants, began to pass into the hands of various noble families. After several changes of ownership through different important families in the nineteenth century, the order of Camaldolesi sold the fortress to Count Vincenzo Pianciani of Spoleto, who created a hunting reserve with pheasants and hares, and organized hunting parties attended by all the Umbrian and Roman nobility.

Garden

In 1959, the Island of Polvese's garden underwent a comprehensive redesign by Italian landscape architect Pietro Porcinai at the behest of Count Giannino Citterio. Porcinai's project included the overhaul of various features, including the landing stage, tennis court, and a swimming pool carved from an abandoned sandstone quarry. The landing stage, characterized by a wooden horseshoe-shaped jetty, now incorporates willow-lined rows descending to the water's edge, replacing former flowerbeds, with the introduction of a herb garden as part of the new segmented layout.

The abandoned sandstone quarry was repurposed into a garden of aquatic plants, featuring a nature-like basin suitable for swimming, with a depth of up to 5.30 meters. Porcinai's design included a series of interconnected "nymphs" around the basin, each hosting selected native and non-native aquatic plants. Particular attention was dedicated by Porcinai to generate for those who had plunged into the pool the feeling of continuity with the Trasimeno Lake. The meadow encircling the pool and nymphs bears olive trees and large stone slabs from the former quarry, strategically used as sunbathing "drying racks." Porcinai also incorporated typical Mediterranean climate plants like myrtle, strawberry trees, thyme, and lavender.

Additional features include changing rooms and water treatment facilities discreetly positioned beneath the embankment, accessible via a sandstone path. It initially served as a hunting lodge and holiday home for the Citterio counts. In 1988 and 1995, the Province of Perugia dedicated efforts to the architectural and functional recovery of this landscape, ensuring its ongoing proper maintenance.

Activities

Since 1995, Polvese Island has been declared by the Province of Perugia as a "scientific-didactic park" dedicated to environmental education, didactic experimentation, scientific, naturalistic, and anthropological research.

Structures & services

• Great hall and Laboratory
• Punto Verde – Information
• Environmental Education Operators
• Umbria Mobilità – Public Boat Service

External links

• The official website of the Polvese Island Centre of Environmental Experience
• "Isola Polvese - Where We Are". Fattoria il Poggio