Lake Trasimeno Italy hosts International kite festival

‘Painting the skies’ on the shores of Lake Trasimeno

In April and May the sky surrounding the mighty Lake Trasimeno, is infused with colour and vibrancy, due to the many balloons and kites seen gently bobbing up and down in crystal-clear Italian air. Each year thousands of balloons, kites and hot-air balloons literally paint the sky above Lake Trasimeno, when the international kite festival takes place, known as ‘Painting the Skies’, or locally, ‘Coloriamo I Cieli.’

Since it began in 1982 in Castiglione del Lago, a small village on Lake Trasimeno’s western shore, the ‘Painting the Skies’ event has attracted thousands of kite and hot-air balloon enthusiasts from around the world, and remains one of Umbria’s best-loved and formidable celebrations.

The festival always enjoys a hectic and diverse programme, including activities such as a film competition, kite exhibitions, kite workshops, hot air balloons, mountain bike and trekking, music, dancing and naturally, eating wonderful Italian cuisine washed down with copious amounts of equally wonderful Italian wine.

This simply fantastic open-air event is held on more than 100 hectares of meadows, including the Lake Trasimeno Park and the ‘Eleuteri’ former airport. Although this sizeable area is quickly filled by more than 10,000 participating kite flyers and over 50,000 kite enthusiasts, and of course thousands of kites of all colours, shapes and sizes.

Lake Trasimeno, nestled just inside Umbria, not far from the Tuscany border, is Italy’s largest non-Alpine lake and, resembling a gigantic mirror reflecting the panoramic mountains, is a truly magnificent site to visit. From sunbathing on its sandy beaches and swimming in its azure water in the summer, to exploring the lake’s many well-preserved medieval sites in the ‘brisker’ months, a visit to this region of Umbria is essential on any traveller’s itinerary.

Although Lake Trasimeno is at its most colourful, enchanting and attractive when the ‘Painting the Skies’ festival is taking place and a sense of freedom, joy and peace is conveyed by the many rich and vibrant yet peaceful objects encircling the mighty and majestic Italian lake.