Perugia

<< Umbria

Perugia is the capital and largest city of Umbria, located in the center of the region, among the hills and near the Tiber river. Originally an Umbrian settlement, it was later one of the main Etruscan cities, before being taken by the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ostrogoths conquered the city, which was later ruled by the Byzantines and the Papal States. In the Late Middle Ages, Perugia was a free comune and then a signoria, and it hosted five papal conclaves. Despite several wars, it remained under papal rule until the 19th century, when it became part of Italy. Perugia is now known for its rich artistic heritage and its contributions to the Renaissance, but also as an university town.

✪ Palazzo dei Priori

Palazzo dei Priori is a Gothic palace built in Perugia between the 13th and 15th century, and for centuries it served as seat of the local government. The palace now hosts the National Gallery of Umbria (Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria), the most important art museum in the region. The museum houses a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks mostly dating from the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, by artists such as Perugino, Pinturicchio, Piero della Francesca, Arnolfo di Cambio, and many more. The facade of the palace features elaborate decorations, while its interiors house richly frescoed halls such as Sala dei Notari and Sala delle Udienze del Collegio del Cambio, which was painted by Perugino. Also inside Palazzo dei Priori is the Sala del Collegio della Mercanzia, adorned with Gothic wooden decorations.

✪ Perugia Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Lorenzo (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo)

The Perugia Cathedral (Duomo di Perugia) is the main church in the city, built between the 14th and 15th century in Gothic style. The facade of the church features various decorations, including an external pulpit and a statue of Pope Julius III. The wide interior of the cathedral is adorned with a large series of frescoes and various decorated chapels, and hosts several artworks. Adjacent to the church is the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo del Perugia, a museum of religious art featuring works dating between the Late Middle Ages and the 19th century.

✪ National Archaeological Museum of Umbria

The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria (Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell’Umbria) is an archaeological museum located in a former convent adjacent to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The museum houses a large collection of ancient finds and artworks, including sections on prehistory, the Umbri, the Etruscans, and the Romans. The most notable piece in the museum is the Cippus Perusinus (Cippo di Perugia), a stone with the longest Etruscan-language engraving ever found.

Piazza IV Novembre

Piazza IV Novembre is the main square of the old town of Perugia, located between the cathedral and Palazzo dei Priori. The square is placed on the site of the ancient Roman forum, and has been the center of local life since the Middle Ages. The center of Piazza IV Novembre is adorned with Fontana Maggiore, a 13th-century fountain with elaborate reliefs.

Church of San Filippo Neri

The Church of San Filippo Neri is a 17th-century in the center of Perugia. The church features a decorated facade, while its interiors are completely adorned with rich Baroque frescoes and other artworks.

Palazzo Sorbello

Palazzo Sorbello is a historic palace in the old town of Perugia, built in the 16th century. The palace is now a house museum featuring ancient artworks and furnishings. Underneath the palace is the Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco), which dates from around the 3rd century BCE and can be visited as an archaeological site.

Chapel of San Severo

The Chapel of San Severo (Cappella di San Severo) is a small chapel adjacent to the Church of San Severo in Perugia. The chapel is adorned with a fresco painted by Raphael and completed by Perugino in the early 16th century.

Etruscan Walls of Perugia

The oldest defensive walls of Perugia were built by the Etruscans around the 4th and 3rd century BCE. The best preserved section of these ancient walls is the Etruscan Arch (Arco Etrusco), an imposing city gate that was later restored by the Romans, but there are also a few other Etruscan gates and arches in the city.

Rocca Paolina

The Rocca Paolina is a 16th-century fortress in Perugia, built in Renaissance style. Partly demolished in the 19th century, the surviving structures include some imposing walls and underground halls that now host art exhibitions. The Etruscan city gate known as Porta Marzia was incorporated in the Rocca Paolina when the fortress was built.

Basilica of San Domenico

The Basilica of San Domenico is a large historic church in Perugia, erected in various phases since the Late Middle Ages. The church houses numerous ancient frescoes and artworks, and hosts the elaborate 14th-century funerary monument of Pope Benedict XI. The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria is located in the adjacent convent.

Basilica of San Pietro

The Basilica of San Pietro is a historic church and abbey located at the southern outskirts of Perugia, erected during the Late Middle Ages. The complex features a Gothic bell tower, while the church is richly adorned with Renaissance frescoes and artworks. A small medieval-style garden is adjacent to the cloister.

Oratory of San Bernardino

The Oratory of San Bernardino is a small religious building in Perugia. Its facade features a series of elaborate 15th-century reliefs made by Agostino di Duccio, while the interior houses some artworks. The altar inside the oratory was originally a Paleochristian sarcophagus from the 4th century, and features various reliefs. The oratory is adjacent to the Church of San Francesco al Prato, built in Romanesque style during the 13th century.

Church of San Michele Arcangelo

Also known as: Temple of Sant’Angelo (Tempio di Sant’Angelo)

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo is a circular church built around the 5th century on a previous Roman temple. The church is a beautiful example of Paleochristian architecture with Romanesque and Byzantine elements, and was reworked a few times. The temple houses some ancient decorations and medieval frescoes.

Medieval Walls of Perugia

Next to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo is Porta di Sant’Angelo, a city gate that formed part of the medieval walls of Perugia. Built in the 14th century and later expanded, now it houses a museum. Another notable section of these walls is Porta di San Pietro, located at the southern edge of the old town.

Hypogeum of the Volumnus Family

The Hypogeum of the Volumnus Family (Ipogeo dei Volumni) is an ancient tomb located just east of Perugia. It forms part of the Etruscan Palazzone Necropolis (Necropoli del Palazzone), and dates from around the 3rd century BCE. This was the burial site of the noble Volumnia gens and houses several ancient sculptures and urns.

Casa del Cioccolato Perugina

In addition to its artistic and architectural masterpieces, Perugia is also known for hosting the headquarters of Perugina, a historic chocolate confectionery company. Its factory houses the Casa del Cioccolato Perugina, a museum on the history of chocolate and the company.