Book Hotels
Reserve online, pay at the hotel
'Best price guaranteed' by booking.com
See also: Italy car hire
Visit Perugia
Peruguia is an important town in central Italy and capital of the Umbria region, situated on a hill dominating the plain of Umbria and the Upper Tiber Valley (to the north of Rome).
Historically it was both a lively and important city due to active agricultural, manufacturing and handicraft industries. Moreover, no less important is the appearance of the city, which has perhaps the richest artistic heritage to be found in Umbria.
The plan of the historical city of Perugia was shaped in the Municipal age in the same place as the earlier Roman city had been located, and these medieval streets are a particular characteristic of the Old Town.
The artistic centre of the city is in the Piazza IV Novembre, with walls that once belonged to the Etruscan city and could be accessed using the ancient gates, such as the Porta della Mandorla, Porta Marzia and Porta Trasimena.
This square stands out because of the presence of the Fontana Maggiore, created under the direction of Fra’ Bevignate (13th century) and decorated by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano (1248-1315), father and son. The fountain is a remarkable example of the Gothic style in Italy and symbolizes the political and religious power of the city.
Also in the square is the Palazzo dei Priori, built between 1298 and 1353, with its façade of travertine and red and white stone of Bettona. For art lovers this is an important destination in Perugia because it contains the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria [National Gallery of Umbria] and an impressive series of works: see Umbria National Gallery
In another part of the square there is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, began in 1300. The church is of Gothic style, with a simple façade with a Baroque portal. The interior has three aisles with vaults, supported by octagonal pillars. The walls are decorated with many works of art - note in particular the 'Deposition from the Cross' by Federico Barocci (1569), kept in the Chapel of San Bernardino (Federico Barocci, 1535-1612, has only been recognized in recent decades as one of the greatest artists of the sixteenth century, and his most dramatic work is no doubt 'The Deposition' in Perugia.)
Behind the church there is the cloister, and the Museum of the Cathedral, founded in 1923.
Also worthy of a visit in perugia are the remains of the fortress of the Rocca Paolina, built by Pope Paul III (1468-1549) in 1540 on the basis of a design by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1484-1546), who certainly constructed a formidable fortress. It was for three centuries the symbol of the Pontifical Government, and it was largely destroyed in 1860.
Also worthy of admiration is the National Archaeological Museum, housed in the Convent of San Domenico, which holds some precious collections ranging from prehistory to the Etruscan and Roman times. In this context see the famous Cippus of Perugia, which has one of the longest and most controversial Etruscan inscriptions of Italy, which describes a contract between two Roman “gentes” [noblemen], on the distribution or use of a property.
In Piazza Danti, near the Cathedral, there is the Etruscan Well, presumably built in the third century BC with the last part of the walls.
Attractions close to Perugia
After enjoying the art of Perugia travel to the Chiana valley, where we find lake Trasimene, near Perugia and a lake full of fish, famous in history because it was here that Hannibal (247-182 BC) defeated the Romans. The Lake Trasimene historically was called "the lake of Perugia" and this definition shows its importance for this city.
The visit to the lake can be a good time to sample the traditional cuisine of Perugia, strongly linked to the Etruscan and Roman civilizations, which have left their mark also in the local gastronomy, with an extensive use of legumes and cereals, especially wheat and barley, which are the basis of many ancient recipes.
Among the typical dishes, we recall the "torta al testo" (a cake of flour, water and olive oil) and various recipes whose main condiment is the truffle.
See also history of Perugia.
See the the Umbria travel guide for more places to visit in the same region as Perugia.