Perugia Tourist Attractions
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SituationPerugia, capital of its province and of the region of Umbria, lies on a hill between the Trasimenian Sea and the Tiber valley.
Piazza IV Novembre
Fontana Maggiore
The main square of Perugia is the picturesque Piazza IV Novembre, in the center of which is the Fontana Maggiore (1277-80), one of the most beautiful fountains of the period, with reliefs by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. On the west side of the square is the Archbishop's Palace with the Museum of Natural History, and beyond it the vaulting of the so-called Maestaå delle Volte, a relic of the Palazzo del Podestaå which was burned down in 1534. From the Piazza IV Novembre the medieval Via delle Volte runs to the Piazza Fortebraccio.
San Lorenzo
On the north side of the Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia stands the cathedral of San Lorenzo, a 15th century Gothic hall-church, with an unfinished facade. On the steps leading up to the entrance, to the left, is a bronze statue of Pope Julius III (1555). Inside there are fine choir-stalls (1486-91) and a banner depicting a view of Perugia.
Museo Capitolare
The Museo Capitolare to the left of the cathedral houses sculpture, valuable missals and pictures, including a "Madonna Enthroned" by Signorelli.
San Severo
East of the cathedral the church of San Severo contains a fresco by Raphael (1505), the Trinity.
Palazzo dei Priori
On the south side of the cathedral in Perugia is the Palazzo dei Priori, also known as the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), a massive building in Italian Gothic style (1293 and 1333), with its main front on the Corso Vannucci. On the side facing the Piazza IV Novembre are a griffin (the heraldic emblem of Perugia), a 14th century bronze lion, and chains, all of which commemorate a victory over the Sienese in 1358. On the first floor of the palace, which is entered through the richly decorated main doorway in the Corso, is the splendid Sala dei Notari, on the second floor the Municipal Library (150,000 volumes).
National Gallery of Umbria
The Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria contains paintings by Perugino and Pinturicchio, Benedetto Bonfiglio (d. 1496), Bartolomeo Caporali (d. about 1509), and other artists, sculptures by di Cambio, di Duccio, etc., and a small majolica collection. The Sala del Collegio della Mercanzia is also worth a visit.
Collegio del Cambio
Only a few yards from the Palazzo dei Priori is the Collegio del Cambio, the old Exchange, the audience chamber of which is decorated with frescoes by Perugino.
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
Southeast of the Piazza IV Novembre is the Piazza Matteotti, built on massive substructures, some of which date from the Etruscan period. On the east side of the square are the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (1472-81) and the Old University (1453-83).
Arco d'Augusto
A short distance north of the cathedral the Arco d'Augusto, one of the Etruscan town gates, bears an inscription. "Augusta Perusia", dating from the Roman period.
Palazzo Gallenga Stuart
In Piazza Fortebraccio in Perugia, outside the gate, the Palazzo Gallenga Stuart (18th century) now houses the University for Foreigners (language courses and introductory courses to Italian history, art and literature).
Sant'Arcangelo
From Piazza Fortebraccio the Corso Garibaldi runs northwest, passing the church of Sant'Agostino, to the Porta Sant'Angelo. To the north of this gate is the church of Sant'Arcangelo, a round church (fifth-sixth century) of great architectural interest, with sixteen ancient columns in the nave.
Oratorio di San Bernardino
From the Corso Vannucci Via dei Priori, entered through an archway under the Palazzo Comunale, runs west past the medieval Torre degli Sciri and the little Renaissance church of the Madonna della Luce to the Piazza di San Francesco, in which, straight ahead, is the Oratorio di San Bernardino, with a magnificent facade of colored marble and terracotta (by Agostino di Duccio, 1457-61).
Prefecture
Corso Vanucci, Perugia's main street, leads south from the Town Hall to the Piazza Italia, in which stands the Prefecture, built on the site of the Papal citadel, demolished in 1860. From the terrace on the south side there are magnificent views of the Umbrian plain, with Assisi, Spello, Foligno and Trevi, and of the Tiber valley.
Porta Marzia
From the Piazza Italia Via Marzia leads southeast past the substructures of the former citadel to the Porta Marzia, at the beginning of the lower town, a remnant of one of the Etruscan town gates.
Rocca Paolina
Here is the entrance to what is left of the old 16th century fortress, the Rocca Paolina (escalator to the lower town). Beyond this in Viale dell'Indipendenza, is the little Gothic church of Sant'Ercolano (1297-1326).
San Domenico
Continue along Corso Cavour to the church of San Domenico, a brick structure begun in 1305 and altered in 1621-34, with a huge Gothic window and the tomb of Pope Benedict XI (1304).
National Archeological Museum of Umbria
In the monastery adjoining San Domenico is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell'Umbria, with Roman and Etruscan antiquities, including the Cippus Perusianus, one of the longest known Etruscan inscriptions.Its collection includes funerary urns, Etruscan and Roma bronzes, and jewelry.
Porta San Pietro
Corso Cavour ends at the finely decorated Porta San Pietro, the inner gate of which dates from the 14th century and the outer gate from the 15th century.
San Pietro
Outside the Porta San Pietro in Perugia, in Borgo XX Giugno (on the left), we find the fine church of San Pietro, an early Christian structure rebuilt in the 12th century, containing eighteen ancient columns, beautiful choir-stalls (1535) and many pictures of the early Umbrian school and of the 17th century. To the southwest of the church, extending to the Porta San Constanzo, lies the Giardino del Frontone (views).
Exchange Building
The Exchange Building is a notable building in downtown Perugia. It was built in the 15th Century for the money-changers and inside you will find famous frescoes by Perugino and his pupils.
Hypogeum
Hypogeum is located just a few kilometers southeast of Perugia. The cemetery dates back to the second century BC and is comprised of an atrium and nine burial chambers.
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Map of Perugia Attractions
Map - Perugia
