Tuoro is a village on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, strategically located between Perugia and the Tuscan municipalities. Its name likely derives from the Latin “torus,” meaning “hill,” in reference to its hilly location; others suggest it comes from “toro,” an ancient fishing technique.
The village’s history is closely tied to the famous Battle of Lake Trasimene, fought nearby in 217 BC, where Hannibal's Carthaginian army inflicted a devastating defeat on the Roman army led by Consul Gaius Flaminius.
The foundation of the town seems to date back to medieval times. As evidenced by the fortresses and towers still visible, Tuoro experienced the turmoil and struggles related to the conquest of its strategic position. It enjoyed a long period of peace only when, in the 16th century, it was incorporated into the Church’s domains as an important postal and customs station.
Little remains today of the village’s ancient history: during the Second World War, it was heavily damaged by bombings.
A stroll through the village, among churches and historic buildings
In the historic center, an interesting sight is the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, dedicated to Tuoro’s patron saint, celebrated by locals on July 22nd. The original church was built in the 14th century on the ruins of the older church of Sant’Anna. The current construction dates back to the 19th century: as the old church became too small to accommodate the growing number of worshippers, between 1885 and 1898 it was expanded according to the design by Giovanni Santini. The building boasts a dome standing 23 meters high, earning it the nickname “a little St. Peter’s” from Pope Leo XIII. Inside, in the apse, is a 1949 fresco by futurist Gerardo Dottori depicting “Mary Magdalene Washing Jesus' Feet”. The painting covers 84 square meters, and its colors resemble those of the landscape seen just outside the church doors. Dottori himself considered this one of his masterpieces.
The present-day village is centered around Piazza del Municipio, with a sandstone and pietra serena fountain from the late 19th century. Overlooking the square is the 19th-century Town Hall and the Neoclassical-style Palazzo Buratta. Nearby is Palazzo Garbi, the birthplace of painter Anton Maria Garbi in 1718. Garbi was one of the leading artists in the Perugia area in the second half of the 18th century, leaving behind numerous works in the churches and palaces of Perugia, including the beautiful Madonna and Child, now housed in the National Gallery of Umbria, as well as in Assisi and Velletri. Inside the recently purchased palazzo, which the municipality plans to turn into cultural spaces, some paintings were discovered, one bearing the artist's signature.
In the delightful Piazza Garibaldi, a true panoramic point overlooking the lake, at number 7, is the Hannibal at Trasimeno Museum – Documentation Center, an educational museum that, through interactive stations and multimedia tools, covers every aspect of the famous 217 BC battle. From Piazza Garibaldi, the fascinating Hannibal’s Battle Historical Route also starts. This approximately 17 km trail, with a low difficulty level, retraces the key phases of the ambush set by Hannibal’s Carthaginians against the Roman army. The itinerary, enriched with panels and reconstructions, allows visitors to explore the areas where the battle took place and see the Ustrina, large pits dug in the ground where it’s believed Hannibal burned the dead soldiers. The ferocity and historical significance of the event are evidenced by the names of the surrounding localities, such as Sanguineto, Ossaia, and Gorghe di Annibale.
Just outside the town center, you can visit Palazzo del Capra, built on earlier Roman remains that, according to legend, are part of the tomb of Consul Flaminius, who died during the terrible battle of 217 BC. Constructed in its current form in the 15th century, it houses a painting from the Old Hospital of Santa Maria della Misericordia, attributed by some to Pinturicchio and by others to Perugino.
Around Tuoro: sun-kissed beaches, historical walks, and ferry rides to the islands
At Punta Navaccia, about a 30-minute walk from the center, is the Lido di Tuoro, with a beach and numerous tourist facilities. The entire area is of great natural interest; here you can stroll through the Campo del Sole (Field of the Sun), which features 29 large column-like sculptures made from local stone by 27 renowned contemporary Italian and international artists. The individual sculptures, arranged in a spiral with a solar symbol at the center, resemble modern totems.
From the Punta Navaccia dock, you can take a ferry and reach Isola Maggiore in just a few minutes. Rich in art and history—it was even a retreat for St. Francis of Assisi during a Lenten period—it also features an ancient fishing village. Certainly worth a visit!
About 4 km from the center is Montegualandro Castle, a fortification likely built by the Etruscans for defensive purposes, as evidenced by a stele found at the site, now preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Perugia. The castle has always had a strategic position, sitting at 450 meters of altitude, dominating both the lake and the road connecting Perugia with the Tuscan cities. Its position made it the center of bloody conflicts, subject to destruction and reconstruction as various Perugian and Tuscan families fought for control. Although the structure is private and not open to visitors, it is worth the walk for the enchanting view of the lake and the Pieve dei Confini—so named because it lies on the border between the Diocese of Perugia and that of Arezzo—a church built in the early 12th century.
Starting from the hamlet of Vernazzano, about 5 km from the center, you can reach, via a 20-minute woodland trail, another place from which to enjoy a splendid view of the lake: the curious leaning tower of Vernazzano. This is all that remains of a medieval castle located along the ancient road between Perugia and Florence via Cortona, which fell into decline due to landslides, erosion, looting, earthquakes, and changes in road routes. The tower is now supported by tie rods, preserving it despite its remarkable 13-degree tilt.
