Submerged landscapes

An ancient pagan folktale narrates that, long ago, a fascinating young nymph, Agilla, lived in the waters of the Trasimenus, the vast blue lake of Italy's Umbria region. One day Prince Trasimenus, son of the powerful Etruscan King Tyrrhenus, heard the strain of a melodious song coming from Polvese island. Attracted by the charming voice, Trasimenus reached the place and, unexpectedly, descried the enchanting divine young girl. Despite their different nature and origin, Agilla and Trasimenus immediately fell in love: every day the youth would reach the island shores to meet Agilla and listen to her. Finally Trasimenus, unable to live apart from his beloved water-nymph, plunged into the lake. Swallowed up by the waves, he fatally disappeared. Agilla, waiting in vain for Trasimenus, was seized by despair. Convulsively she started looking for him, wandering here and there, looking into every possible hiding place and searching every boat that furrowed the lake's waters. According to the tale, since then, Agilla has never stopped seeking her Trasimenus: even nowadays, local old fishermen say that during the summer, whenever the warm wind blows from the north, agitating the waves and shaking the boats, it is the sign that Agilla is wandering in search of her earthly beloved. The book is printed in a signed and numbered limited edition of 99 copies.