Last 28 May, we organized an excursion to the lake with our students and friends to explore Isola Maggiore on Lake Trasimeno. We had a very special guide for our visit, Prof. Jean Wilmotte, who has lived there for fifteen years and knows everything and everyone. The professor told us about the historical events involving the island and its inhabitants. One of the most famous, for example, was the saving of 22 Jews during WWII. He took us to see some of the artistic sights there, such as the recently restored frescoes in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. Most of all, he showed us details and curiosities that would have been difficult to discover alone.
First of all, we learned that the island is divided symbolically into two parts: “’n su – ‘n giù”, the imaginary line (separating the upper and lower parts of the island) marked by two signs along the main street, via Guglielmi, and consequently even the citizens are recognized as either “insuesi” or “ingiuesi”.
Of the various churches, the most notable and visited is without a doubt the one already mentioned, San Michele Arcangelo, located at the highest point of the island on a beautiful panoramic spot. Another one worth mentioning is San Salvatore, unfortunately not always open to the public. It is a small, Roman-style chapel that lends itself to classical music concerts thanks to its acoustics. But not only that …many people choose it to celebrate their wedding because at sunset (the golden hour), especially in summer, a spectacular red light enters the chapel through the main entrance, lighting up the whole interior.
Finally, another not-to-be-missed place is the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) for two reasons: the first is to admire the splendid handicrafts created with mastery by skilled hands and preserved over the years; the second is to learn the story of the women who accomplished all of this. It is definitely an interesting story of female emancipation that happened at the beginning of the 20th century: the story of fishermen’s wives, already skilled at making and repairing their husbands’ nets, who became economically independent thanks to their work as lace makers. Incredible, isn’t it?
Anyway, these are just a few hints but, if you want to learn more, we can guarantee that there are marvelous people on the island ready to guide you and to provide you with all the details