Those who want to see the real Italy with its color and sights, get acquainted with the cultural traditions of the country, should go to Perugia - the capital of the province of Umbria. The history of the small population of the city covers several eras, and the sights that have survived to this day attract a significant number of tourists. In this article we will also get to know some interesting sights and virtually visit unique places in Perugia and the surrounding area.
Unknown Italy
How does an ordinary tourist represent Italy? Most likely, this will be a description of such world famous tourist cities as Venice and Rome, Tuscany and Sicily. But the cities listed above are not the whole of Italy, but there are places outside the usual tourist routes, and it will not be difficult to get to them. One such place is the city of Perugia, which Italians call the green heart of the peninsula. The city is located about 164 kilometers (102 miles) north of Rome and 148 km (92 miles) southeast of Florence .
Since the time of the Holy Inquisition, ancient monuments, gloomy arches and houses have been preserved in the city. The Middle Ages awarded the city two symbols: a lion and a vulture. These creatures confirm the warlike spirit of Perugia, in which inter-clan passions and wars with neighboring cities were in full swing.
The city is more like a Spartan without masterpiece frills and architectural delights. It was built in a hilly area with multi-tiered stairs and bridges. And wherever tourists make a promenade, they always fall on small platforms, from which you can see the sights of Perugia (Italy) and the lower quarters of the city.
How to get there
Tourists can fly to Sant Egidio Airport, located 12 kilometers from Perugia. There are buses and taxis from the airport to this city. You can come from any city in Italy by train to the suburban station of Perugia, from where there is a mini metro to the described city. Riding it is a pleasure. It is a narrow gauge railway that glows purple in the evening, and small cabins - without a driver. Automation works.
Main square
Arriving in Perugia, what to see from the sights? Perhaps it is better to start exploring the city from its main square, which hosts festivals, celebrations and city events - Piazza IV Novembre. Why does she have such a name? In Italy, November 4 is a day of remembrance for all those who fell for their homeland. On the square is the Palace of Priorov (Pallazzo dei Priori), which is the business center of the city, the palace of the Captain and the Cathedral. The imposing Gothic temple is located in the center of Perugia. It does not enter the main square of the city, but on the side. It is the latter that is considered complete. It partially preserved ancient ornaments in the form of geometric patterns of white and pink marble. On this wall is an attached loggia.
The decoration of the square is the Fountain of Maggiore (Fontana Maggiore). It was built in 1278 in honor of the completion of the construction of the aqueduct, which provided water to the whole city. The skillful work of sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano is presented in bas-reliefs on two marble tanks. The characters of fables and legends of the Old and New Testaments are captured by sculptors on the upper marble bowl, and on the bottom - scenes from rural life of the Middle Ages. The fountain is crowned with figures of nymphs. You should definitely go to the street, which used to be an aqueduct that supplied the fountain with water.
Etruscan Monuments
From the central square of the city piazza IV Novembre, the road leads to piazza Danti, which contains the attractions of Perugia related to the Etruscans. This is a deep Etruscan well, which was the main source of water for the city. It was built in the III century BC. Further the path lies to the next attraction - the arch of the Etruscans. It is also built in the III century BC. and served as a gateway to the city.
It is also called the Arch of Augustus. It was he who crushed the rebellion of Lucius Anthony, driving him into the city, and forced him to surrender. The reprisal followed after the surrender of the city. He was looted and burned. Augustus did not touch the temples of Volcano and Juno. After a while, he allowed the surviving citizens to rebuild the city, but on condition that it be named Augusta Perusia , that is, burned by Augustus. These words are embossed on the arch.
University of Perugia
Next to the arch is the baroque Palazzo Gallenga Stewart. The palace was built in 1720 for the noble family Antinori. A hundred years later, Romeo Gallenga Stewart bought it. Since 1927, the University for Foreign Students has been located here . He has something to be proud of. Within its walls, students from all over the world study. They study Italian, take specialized language courses, and receive bachelor's degrees. There is another university in Italy with the same profile, it is located in Siena.
Monuments of Christianity in Italy
To the north of the main square is another of Perugia's landmarks - the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael (Chiesa di Sant'Angelo). It was built among the first Christian churches in Italy in the 5th century. It was erected on the ruins of a Romanesque temple, at a time when pagan beliefs were in decline, and Christianity was strengthened in the territory of the former Roman Empire. The structure of the temple retained Romanesque features.
The interior is located in two concentric compartments, separated by six Roman columns, which, according to scientists, did not belong to the temple, but were brought and delivered in it. They differ even from each other in material and size. Light enters the temple from 12 open windows on the drum.
The list of interesting sights of Perugia include the chapel of San Bernardino. It is built in memory of a wandering preacher. His name is given to this chapel. When this roving preacher appeared in the city, hostility and quarrels ceased everywhere. It was a shame with a holy man to sort things out. But the truce ended, as soon as he left the city. So this chapel stands as a reminder to people how far they are from holy unconditional love.
Basilica of St. Domenico
Half an hour walking from the cathedral, in a small square dedicated to Giordano Bruno, is Italy's famous landmark of Perugia - the Basilica of St. Domenico. It was erected on the foundation of the Dominican church in 1304. This is the first church building in Italy with a European hall form with 3 naves of the same height. At the end of the XIV century, it was necessary to shorten the bell tower to 100 meters for its stability, and at the beginning of the XVII century. The basilica was rebuilt and consecrated.
Currently, one can observe the ornamented entrance to the basilica of the late 16th century and the Baroque staircase. The small courtyard and the former monastery of St. Domenico are adjacent to the territory of the basilica. The former monastery houses the Archaeological National Museum of Umbria. It is famous for the fact that all the finds and artifacts of the territory of Umbria related to the prehistoric period are collected here.
Viola Street
For a variety of impressions of the city, you should go to its northeastern part, on Viola street. In tourist routes this street is not, but it is very interesting. In the quarter where it passes, small workshops and galleries are concentrated. A street feature is its creativity. On the walls of the buildings are drawings and graffiti, interesting installations made by residents of the quarter and local artists in the form of spatial compositions are found at every step. The paintings of artists are hung right on the streets. Residents of the street spend together holidays and festivals. An informal bohemian atmosphere is the norm for street residents. In this way, it is not like the other streets of Perugia.
And even here, walking along Viola street, you can meet another rarity - the old long-closed church - Chiesa di San Simone del Carmine, built in the 13th century. They closed it due to severe damage during the earthquake. They open it a couple of times a year as part of projects conducted in the city, such as Invisible Perugia, or in an excursion program to interesting places in the city. Of particular interest is the 1602 organ donated to the church by the local aristocrat Della Cornya. The frescoes and paintings of this temple have long been in the National Art Gallery.
Urban surroundings
The sights of Perugia do not end in the city. In its vicinity you can find many interesting and beautiful places. The homeland of St. Francis of Assisi is located 35 kilometers from Perugia. This is the city of Assisi. St. Francis was the founder of the monastic order of the Franciscans. Here the saint found his last refuge. His ashes rest in the basilica bearing his name.
You can go to Betonna - the "goose city", a picturesque place with ancient architecture. It cherishes the old culinary traditions of Umbria. 45 kilometers from Perugia is a small town of Gubbio. It has the basilica of St. Ubald - the patron saint of this town. Fans of ancient architecture will also be interested in the Palace of Consuls. It is located in Gubbio Square. A shuttle bus runs from Perugia to Gubbio, so you can safely go on an excursion.
About festivals
Not only beautiful places and attractions of Perugia can offer tourists. In addition to exploring beautiful old places and buildings for lovers of more active entertainment, various festivals are held. Among them, the July International Jazz Festival and the October Chocolate Festival are especially fond of Italian residents and travelers.
The jazz festival has been held in Perugia since 1973. It is considered the most popular music festival in Italy. World jazz stars from all over the world come here. During the week, music does not cease on the streets of the city and in restaurants, as well as on the main stage of the city "Santa Juliana Arena"
Among the most delicious in the world of holidays, one of the leading places is the chocolate festival in Perugia. It is held annually in the month of October and lasts a week. The name of the festival is Eurochocolate. The popularity of this event is growing every year. It is no accident that Perugia was chosen as the venue for it. This is the birthplace of Italy's largest chocolate producer Perugina. BACI candies ("kiss") exported to many countries of the world are produced at the factory in Perugia. The festival is a landmark of our time. It was first organized in 1993. During the holiday, the city turns into a huge pastry shop with an epicenter in the central part.
About chocolate
The chocolate festival is great! But even during the celebration, chocolate business professionals continue to work actively at serious events. Seminars are held in Perugia. They raise questions about the development of the chocolate industry, exchange experience, make profitable deals. During the festival, in Perugia, people are taught at exhibitions how to taste chocolate properly, cooking classes, as well as lectures on the skill of cooking sweet treats.
From the ancient Aztecs to the present day the truth has come that chocolate is "the food of the gods." That is why the most “delicious” chocolate festival leaves no one indifferent. If tourists get to Perugia during this holiday, they will definitely have a sweet residue from the days spent here.