PROVINCE OF PERUGIA. isola polvese: history art nature

Transcription

1 PROVINCE OF PERUGIA isola polvese: history art nature Perugia, 10 May 2011

2 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO Lake Trasimeno is one of the largest lakes in Italy, but with a depth of 6 metres at most it is also one of shallowest. Lake Trasimeno is of alluvial origin (perhaps partly tectonic as a result of movements in the earth s crust), and it is an enclosed lake with no natural effluents. Such shallow waters have created an invaluable ecosystem for the environment, where large numbers of acquatic birds and a wealth of marine life are to be found. Three islands lie in the middle of Lake Trasimeno: Isola Polvese is the largest of the three.

3 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO As a result of its alluvial origin, fluctuations in the level due to varying amounts of rainfall have always been a problem for Lake Trasimeno. From historic times some sort of a tunnel, canal or underground passage to drain away the water has had to be built to combat the problem of continual flooding. Thus, the construction of an effluent has often been considered in order to control the water level. A faint trace on a few ancient coins is all that remains of an underground canal which the Romans appear to have built in the area around San Savino.

4 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO At the beginning of the 15th century the Lord of Perugia, Braccio di Fortebraccio, built the first historically documented effluent, probably in the same place as the Roman canal. In 1422 Braccio da Montone, Lord of Perugia, built a new effluent which was approximately 1 km long and ran almost its entire length through a tunnel.

5 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO This structure did not ultimately solve the problem, so Leonardo da Vinci studied an ingenious, hydraulic system to control the excess flow from Lake Trasimeno and Lake Chiusi, but which was never put into practice. It is said that he would have continued to drain the swamp in the Val di Chiana. Leonardo suggested that either the River Arno should be linked to the River Chiano and Lake Trasimeno, and then the latter would be connected with the Tiber, to create a navigable network between Florence and Rome, or that a natural link be made with the River Chiana west of Borghetto on the opposite bank.

6 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO The problems of Lake Trasimeno lie behind the origins of the modern pluviometer (Taken from marcococco.eu, _Gilberto_Scalabrini.html) Letter 1 (18th June 1639) 1- Letter from Father Benedetto Castelli to Galileo Galilei (in Arcetri), Rome 18th June 1639 (1). Your most Illustrious Lordship To satisfy the promise made to your most illustrious lordship in the past to present you my ideas as regards Lake Trasimeno, I would inform you that in recent days, when I was in Perugiafor the celebrations of our general Chapter, having understood that the level of Lake Trasimeno had become quite low due to a great drought that had lasted for months, I was curious to see in person this truth both for my own satisfaction as well as to be able to refer with certainty what I had seen of the place. When I arrived at the mouth of the effluent of the lake, I found that the surface of the lake was approximately five Roman hands lower than usual, so that it remained below the threshold of the effluent entrance along the following line (39mm); and not a drop of water left the lake, to the great inconvenience of all the surrounding villages and castles, for whereas normally the water from the lake usually drives 22 mills, now they cannot grind which means that all the inhabitants in the area have a day s walk and more in order to grind on the Tiber...

7 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO In the second half of the 16th century, the Pope decided to divert the Rigo Maggiore and the Tresa, the only natural tributaries of Lake Trasimeno, towards Lake Chiusi. In 1865 following the Risorgimento and the Unification of Italy, the Sabaudo Government granted Camillo Bonfigli drainage permission. The idea came to a standstill due to Bonfigli s lack of funds and to the tenacious opposition from both local representatives and from the Municipality of Perugia.

8 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO Then came the decision to establish the Consortium to stabilise Lake Trasimeno with a twenty-year old secretary, Guido Pompilj. At first the Consortium, led first by Reginaldo Ansidei and then by Guido Pompilj, obtained Permission from the State on 30th December 1893 to create the first new effluent after the one made in the 15th century beneath San Savino. Between 1895 and 1898 a new 7 km-long effluent with a rate of flow of 12 m 3 /s was created parallel to the 15th century effluent. (Taken from Paolo Belardinelli,

9 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO In the 50s, a drought left the water with a maximum depth of only 3 metres, approximately metres below the gauge datum. (Source University of Perugia) Passignano sul Trasimeno in 1956

10 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO (Source University of Perugia) San Feliciano in 1956

11 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO (Source University of Perugia) Monte del Lago in 1956

12 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO (Source University of Perugia) Tuoro sul Trasimeno in 1958

13 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO (Source University of Perugia) Tuoro sul Trasimeno in 1958

14 FEATURES OF LAKE TRASIMENO (Source University of Perugia) Tuoro sul Trasimeno in 1958

15 FEATURES OF THE ISLAND The 70-hectare island, Isola Polvese, is situated in the south eastern part of Lake Trasimeno and is the largest of the lake s three islands. The thick cane beds in the south-east which provide shelter for numerous species of birds and amphibia, together with a small wood of holm and durmast oak in the north make this environment particularly attractive. (Internet source)

16 NATURE The pool, Piscina Porcinai, is of special interest. It was commissioned by Count Cliterio and was built in 1959 by the architect Pietro Porcinai.. It was dug into the rock in an area that was formerly an old, abandoned, sandstone quarry. (Internet source)

17 NATURE A large number of acquatic plants, such as water lilies and lotus flowers can be admired from late spring onwards in the nymphaeum. (Internet source)

18 NATURE The island is covered with organic olive groves which yield approximately 2,400 kg of extravirgin olive oil that have been certified as organic. (Internet source)

19 HISTORY The name of the island probably derives from the word polvento, meaning a leeward area. The area was certainly occupied by the Romans, as there are visible remains of opus reticulatum, a building technique used by the Romans to face a wall. There are various places of artistic interest. (Internet source) Example ofi Opus reticulatum used on an external wall in Villa Adriana (first half of the 2nd century. Perugia, 10 May 2011

20 HISTORY The church of San Secondo (10th-14th century) lies on the highest point of the island. Olivetan monks once lived in this Romanesque complex with its nave, two aisles a crypt and apse, of which only the outer walls remain standing. (internet source)

21 HISTORY Only the pentagonal boundary walls of the 14th century Mediaeval Castle remain. The islanders used the castle as a refuge in times of need. (Internet source)

22 HISTORY The single nave Church of San Giuliano dates back to the 11th century.. Built of sandstone and and limestone it has a sailshaped bell tower ( campanile a vela ) and is decorated with frescoes inside. (Internet source)

23 EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES The Province of Perugia has owned the island since 1973 and in 1995 it registered it as a scientific and educational Park within the Regional Trasimeno Park. The Province carries out scientific research, experiments and environmental educational activites here and uses recently salvaged buildings as scientific laboratories, classrooms and convention rooms. (Internet source)

24 TOURIST ACCOMMODATION You can stay on the island at the old, completely.restored Fattoria del Conte in a wonderful position overlooking the lake. Thanks to projects run by the Province of Perugia it is now one of the first eco-friendly buildings in Italy, equipped with advanced systems to purify waste water using plants, to save energy using solar panels, to re-circulate rain water, and to recycle and compost waste. Other available accommodation is the hostel with two and five-bed family rooms, dormitories, a meeting room and mini apartments equipped with a kitchen area. The island is not only the ideal spot if you love the peace and quiet of life in the open air, but it is also an excellent starting point from which to explore the towns of artistic interest between Umbria and Tuscany. (Internet source)

25 SPORT AND LEISURE (Internet source) A part of the extensive, level area of greenery on Isola Polvese has been improved and is used for sports activities. This shows how the environment and sport can work side by side. An environmentally friendly football pitch has been constructed without any changes being made to the environment. There are no barriers, the pitch is marked out with a distinctive mowed strip around the edges and ecological paint has been used to mark the lines.

26 SPORT AND LEISURE The island frequently hosts shows, rallies and events. (Internet source)

27 SPORT AND LEISURE Following renovations to the wet dock, the sailing Clubs of Lake Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno have recently established a federal sailing school. (Internet source)