If you have found a luxury villa in Umbria and are spending time exploring the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region, tasting its delicious cuisine and seeking out adventures, make sure to set some time aside to enjoy the great natural beauty of the region as well. In particular, there is one lake that may not have the brand appeal of Lake Como or Lake Garda but it well worth checking out: Lake Piediluco. With its own charms, great natural beauty, wonderful location and impeccable boating facilities, the lake assures more than one or two good days out for those who go in search of it.
Lake Piediluco takes its name from the picturesque town of Piediluco, which is thought to mean "at the foot of the sacred wood" and the town itself is also well worth a visit: a picturesque place that has remained largely unchanged in appearance since the Middle Ages with small, brightly coloured houses clustered together between the lake and mountain. Irregularly shaped and surrounded my mountains and wooded hills, it would be easy to think you had somehow ended up in the Alps. In fact, this lake is very much its own beast. A decidedly less chaotic and much more peaceful place that makes for a pretty picture and a good place for a swim, to sunbathe or enjoy a variety of different water sports. Historically, the lake has also been a famous beauty that was a “must” for many artists of the Grand Tour and was rendered perfectly by the French painter Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot.
Canoeing displays on a world-class level take place on the lake and it is a popular tourist resort where you can indulge in or observe various water sports. It was chosen by the Italian Rowing Federation as the seat of the National Rowing Centre, run by the Piediluco Rowing Club and home to the National Olympic Rowing association. National and international athletes are both known to train in the area. The lack of streams and presence of fairly regular winds make the lake a perfect location for national and international regattas. Each year, it is also home to the "Festa delle Acque", or Feast of the Waters, an event that stretches back in history and during which you can observe a stunning nighttime procession of decorated and lit-up boats, fire-works, concerts and theatrical productions.
Whether you're merely interested in the beauty of the area or are a watersports enthusiast, this is a gem of a location in Umbria.
Canoeing displays on a world-class level take place on the lake and it is a popular tourist resort where you can indulge in or observe various water sports. It was chosen by the Italian Rowing Federation as the seat of the National Rowing Centre, run by the Piediluco Rowing Club and home to the National Olympic Rowing association. National and international athletes are both known to train in the area. The lack of streams and presence of fairly regular winds make the lake a perfect location for national and international regattas. Each year, it is also home to the "Festa delle Acque", or Feast of the Waters, an event that stretches back in history and during which you can observe a stunning nighttime procession of decorated and lit-up boats, fire-works, concerts and theatrical productions.
Whether you're merely interested in the beauty of the area or are a watersports enthusiast, this is a gem of a location in Umbria.
Photo credit: Daniele Mosca / CC BY-SA 4.0