Conquered by the Etruscans, Castiglione del Lago was put under the jurisdiction of nearby Chiusi and for many centuries was called Castrum Clusii (castle of Chiusi). After the Roman period, the land was drained and connected with the Valdichiana area. In the Middle Ages it became a fortified village with the construction of the castle, later destroyed and rebuilt, until Frederick II of Swabia had it razed and rebuilt as a fortress in 13th century. In the 16th-17th century it was a marquisate, and then a duchy under the della Corgna family. When the della Corgna dynasty died out (17th century), Castiglione del Lago became the property of the Papal States, until the Unification of Italy (1860).
The historic center is surrounded by medieval walls with three gates: Porta Fiorentina, Porta Senese and Porta Perugina. An example of medieval Umbrian military architecture, Rocca del Leone (1247) has an irregular pentagon shape, with 5 towers and 3 gates, dominated by a triangular main tower of almost 30m. The walkway overlooks the lake, and the vast space inside is used today as an amphitheatre for shows and events. The interior of the Ducal Palace, also known as Palazzo della Corgna (1560), is decorated with frescoes by Salvio Savini and Niccolò Circignani, known as "Pomarancio", which are some of the best examples of Mannerist painting in Umbria. The Church of St. Mary Magdalene has fine 16th century panel by a student of Perugino, a 14th-century Madonna of the Milk by the Sienese school and frescoes by Mariano Piervittori (1850); the Church of San Domenico di Guzman has a wooden coffered ceiling and an ambulatory used as the della Corgna family tomb; the 13th-century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo looks over Piazza Mazzini, the village's main square.
Fondazione Umbria Film Commission
Via M. Angeloni 61 — 06124 Perugia
Phone: 075-5045878
Email: info@umbriafilmcommission.com
