L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES I f a movie camera captured the pearlescent beauty of Passignano sul Trasimeno, it would pivot at sunset around a lake full of noc- turnal depth yet brimming with light, the sort of place the gods might vacation. Straddling the border between Umbria and Tuscany, the ancient fishing village sits directly on a lake of the s ame name, lake Trasimeno, Italy's fourth largest body of water. It was also wit- nes s to one of the bloodies t defeats in Roman history. On its shores, Hannibal ambushed and trounced the Roman army in 217 BC using a technique never seen before. F loundering in their heavy armor on the mars hy verge of the lake, the Romans were slaughtered in the thou- sands. Today Passignano sul Trasi- meno, only 15 miles from Peru- gia and 28 from Arezzo, is a v i b r a n t t o w n o f a b o u t 5 , 8 0 0 souls divided into ancient and modern districts. The old settle- ment sits on a hill topped by a 12th-century castle incorporating a p r e - e x i s t e n t a n d w e l l - p r e - served Rocca of Lombard ori- gins. The fortress is now home to the Museo delle Barche that holds medieval boats once used on the lake's waters. Visitors can walk up to the castle in five minutes. There's a dreamy feel to the v i l l a g e ' s n a r r o w s t r e e t s a n d ancient buildings. They evoke the distinctive charm of central Italy and a connection to its rich h e r i t a g e . T h e t e r r i t o r y w a s inhabited by the Etruscans long before the Romans came and, before the Etruscans, by the Umbrians, original founders of the region. "Today Passignano is listed as one of the most beautiful vil- lages in the country," says Ste- fano Baldoncini, vice president of the Pro Loco Passignano, an association promoting local cul- ture and tourism. "As befits a tourist center, my beloved town has dozens of hotels, country inns and private accommoda- tions," he notes. Wonderful din- ing is woven into the fabric of the village, with many restau- rants that specialize in local fish recipes.  "One of my favorite d i s h e s i s l a c a r p a r e g i n a i n p o r c h e t t a , c a r p b a k e d w i t h aroma and spice as if it were roast pork," he explains. Visitors spend evenings and weekends relaxing around the vast lake. Beautiful homes dot the landscape. Star Wars film- maker George Lucas found one of those homes, purchasing an exquisite building on the hillside of the village that commands breathtaking vistas across the lake and town. The fabulous estate features a 16th century walled garden with 13 acres of gardens, orchards, vineyards and more than 1.800 olive trees. In 2009, Lucas bought the former Convento dei Capuccini that d a t e s b a c k t o t h e 1 5 0 0 s a n d restored it with state-of-the-art luxury. " I n t h a t m a g n i f i c e n t r e s i - dence, Lucas has welcomed his friends Ron Howard, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg and oth- ers. But everything is kept very private," says Baldoncini. "I spot Mr. Lucas once in a while enter- ing a downtown café. Other resi- dents saw him in the company of R o b e r t D e N i r o i n t h e s a m e café," Baldoncini reveals. "I believe he visits in Spring and Summer and arrives by heli- copter at his amazing villa. But also, sometimes, we see large SUVs passing by," adds Bal- doncini. It seems the Hollywood's leg- end rents a section of his luxury home through the website Excel- lent Villas that reads:  "Built in the 16th century, and a function- ing monastery until the '60s, this historic building lies within a 25 hectare (60 acres) estate. It has been lovingly restored by its owner, George Lucas." The same website describes the villa's amenities — large grounds with tennis court, swim- ming pool, bocce court and bas- ketball court as well as a movie theater, a library and an enter- tainment system with a movie library of 1.000 titles available in all guest apartments. Y e t l u x u r i o u s P a s s i g n a n o remains rural and peaceful. Cas- tel Rigone is worth a visit, a h a m l e t o f t h e t o w n w i t h p a n o r a m i c v i e w s o f t h e s u r - rounding countryside where visi- tors admire the Madonna dei Santissimi Miracoli, one of the most impressive Renaissance churches in Umbria. B a l d o n c i n i s a y s t h a t t h e locals are very happy to wel- come visitors. "Our tiny town is a very alive community where traditions live side-by-side with a strong sense of friendship and a genuine sense of hospitality," he says. "The atmosphere is serene, y e t a l l a r o u n d , p e o p l e a r e bustling with activity. We have so many festivals and events." The major festival is called Il Palio delle barche-La fuga degli Oddi, a historical boat race on the last Sunday of July that pays tribute to a bloody battle in 1495 between the Baglioni and Oddi families. It's a tough and intense competition that includes loading boats onto the shoulders of their men who run up to the fortress. Società Aeronautica Italiana Ambrosini, an Italian aircraft manufacturer, was founded on the lakefront of Passignano in 1922. The factory walls display p l a q u e s c o m m e m o r a t i n g t h e establishment of a major sea- plane pilot school in 1916. There are no limits to the fun water sports available in Passig- nano. "Today we have a great national school for stand up pad- dle boarding," says Baldoncini. The harbor provides regular ferry s ervices to the lake's islands, including divine Isola Maggiore where legend has it S aint F rancis of A s s is i once passed Lent. In 40 days and 40 nights, he allegedly ate only a half loaf of bread. Today, Passignano is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country © Massimiliano Agati | Dreamstime.com Passignano is a friendly, rural and peaceful hamlet . Photo: Christian Gatti Passignano sul Trasimeno, 'Star Wars' on the lake MARIELLA RADAELLI

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