The hilltop on which Perugia sits with its commanding views over the surrounding countryside has been the site of habitation since prehistoric times. The Archaeological museum has details of human habitation dating from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods. It was an original Umbrian settlement, but it was the Etruscans who built the first town on the site, surrounding it with a wall to protect its citizens from outside attack.

Control of Perugia has changed many times throughout the years, each administration adding to the town’s rich history. Today it is a lively cosmopolitan university town, which has students from all over the world attending the University for Foreigners as well as many Italian students attending the highly regarded Perugia University. The town retains a huge amount of character and charm with its narrow winding streets and many beautiful buildings with original features.

The city’s streets are very steep but there are a series of escalators and lifts which take visitors to the top of the town where the main sights are located. For the more energetic via Appia has steps all the way up to the town centre, part of which the restored arches of the aqueduct run alongside. At the top of via Appia is the Etruscan arch one of the original seven arches built into the walls allowing access into the town.

The main square IV November has the Fontana Maggiore (The major fountain) in the centre. It was built in the 12th century to celebrate the completion of the aqueduct which brought fresh water to the town from Monte Pacciano. The fountain was carved by father and son Nicola and Giovanni Pisano and is decorated with scenes from the Old Testament, classical myths, Aesop’s fables and the twelve months of the year.

On one side of the square is the Cathedral San Lorenzo. It took more than a century to build and was finished in the 1400s, part of the Roman wall can be seen under the portico and there is a bronze statue of Julius III facing onto the square. Inside the Cathedral the chapel of Santo Anello houses the marriage ring of the virgin. This is kept inside fifteen boxes, each with a separate key held by a different person. These are put on display each year for two days only on the 29th and 30th July.

Another side of the square has the Palazzo Priori which houses the Galleria Nazionale di Umbria (National Gallery of Umbria) which displays some of the most important paintings in Umbria by artists such as Perugino, Pinturicchio, Fra Angelico, Piero della Francesca and Duccio. A flight of stairs from the square lead up to the Sala die Notary which is quite breathtaking, with virtually every inch of wall and ceiling covered in frescos. On the ground floor are the decorated rooms of the Sala del Collegio del Cambio (The Guild of Moneychangers) and the Sala del Collegio della Mercanzi (The Guild of Merchants).

Perugia hosts a number of excellent festivals throughout the year. July is the month when the extremely popular Umbrian Jazz festival is held, with many outdoor events being held, some organised some impromptu. In early September there is the Sagra Musicale Umbria (Holy music festival) which has many well know conductors and musicians appearing at venues throughout the town. This is followed by the classical music festival which also organises an antique instrument market, as well as workshops. The end of the year is when the town celebrates chocolate, with chocoholics from all over Italy and beyond descending upon Perugia during two weeks in October to sample as many different varieties as possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Please note that there are traffic restrictions in Perugia for non residents without permits. It is therefore much easier to park in one of the towns car parks and take the escalator or elevator up to the centre.

Escalator opening times

From Piazza Partigiani to Piazza Italia
06.15 – 01.45 (winter) 06.15 – 03.00 (summer)
From Via Pellini to Via dei Priori
06.45 – 01.15 (winter) 06.45 – 02.00 (summer)
From Piazzalle Europa to Piazzalle Bellucci
07.00 – 22.00 (winter) 07.00 – 02.00 (summer)
From Piazzale Bellucci to Corso Cavour
07.00 – 22.00 (winter) 07.00 – 02.00 (summer)

Elevator opening times

Galleria Kennedy to Mercato Coperto
07.00 – 20.30 (winter) 07.00 – 00.30 holidays and pre holidays (winter)
07.00 – 03.00 (summer) weekdays, holidays and pre holidays (summer)

Parcheggio “Mercato Coperto” to Terrazzo Mercato Coperto
06.00 – 02.00 everyday

MUSEUMS

National Gallery of Umbria
Corso Vanucci, 1
Fax: +39 0755741400
Open daily 9.00 – 13.30 and 15.00 -19.00
Sundays 9.00 – 13.00 
Closed 25th December, 1st January and the first Monday of each month
Entrance fee charged
http://www.gallerianazionaleumbria.it/

Palazzo Priori
Open Monday - Saturday 9.00 – 12.30 and 15.00 – 19.00
Please note that it is often closed on winter afternoons
Entrance free of charge

Museio Archeologica Nazionale dell’Umbria
Piazza Giordano Bruno, 10
Tel: +39 0755727141
Open Tuesday – Sunday 08.30 – 19.30
Monday 14.30 – 19.30
Entrance fee charged

FESTIVALS

Sagra Musicale Umbria (Holy Music Festival)
Association Sagra Musical Umbria
Via Podanai, 11
Perugia
Tel: +39 075 5721374
Fax: +39 075 572 7614

Jazz Festival
Umbria Jazz – Perugia
Piazza Dante, 28
Casella Postale 228
Perugia
Tel: +39 075 5732432
Fax: +39 075 572 2656
www.umbriajazz.com


Perugia Classico (Classical Music Festival)
Comitatio Promotore
Perugia Classico
c/o Commune di Perugia
Ripartizione XVI
Economia e lavoro
Via Eburnea, 9
Tel: +39 075 577 2253
Fax: +39 075 572 4252

Festival of Chocolate
Eurochocolate Organisation
Via D’Andreotto, 19
06124 Perugia
Tel: +39 075 573 2670
Fax: +39 075 573 1100
www.eurochocolate.com

If you will not be in Perugia during the October choc fest you could always take a trip to the Perugina Chocolate Factory on Via San Sisto approximately 2km outside of the town where they have tours of the factory and tastings! Tel: +39 075 527 6796 Monday – Friday 08.30 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 17.00.