Over the centuries Perugia has been dominated by numerous different peoples , evidence of which can be found in the many archaeological remains. Starting with the Etruscans, who probably founded Perugia in the 6th century B.C..Remains of the Roman domination include paved roads , the forum, the cisterns, the Roman amphitheatre outside Porta Marzia, the thermal baths and what is assumed to be a mausoleum, located under Saint Peter’s bell tower.
Perugia lies on a hill 500 m. above sea level, with the old town spreading all around it, and partly surrounded by Etruscan and Medieval Walls. There are two city walls. The external one, dating back to the Middle Ages, is still intact for several km. and has several gates, such as the Cassero di Porta Sant’Angelo. The inner, Etruscan wall, was built using huge rocks. Unfortunately, only a few remains of the old city have survived; the remaining urban centre is mainly medieval in style. The old town is in fact a typical medieval village, one of the most beautiful in Italy. Entering through Porta San Pietro, the first monument toto visit is the Basilica of S. Domenico, where many statues and valuable works by local artists are housed. The nearby cloisters and monasteries are now home of the National Museum of Umbrian Archaeology, which houses archaeological finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages discovered in local excavations.
A sightseeing tour should also include Piazza Matteotti, known in antiquity as Sopramuro (above the walls), with the Palazzo dell’Università Vecchia, built in the fifteenth century, and Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Beside it is one of the most important squares of Italy: Piazza IV Novembre, which can be considered the monumental and social core of the city, at its centre is the Maggiore Fountain, which with its elegant lines and shapes is a sculptural masterpiece by Giovanni and Nicola Pisano. This architectonical complex includes the Palazzo dei Priori built between the 13th and the 14th centuries, a symbol of the civil power of the time. It now houses the National Gallery of Umbria, and contains the most important collection of Umbrian paintings, including a number of pieces by Perugino. Finally, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the main façade is on Piazza Danti, while the façade looking onto Piazza IV Novembre has San Bernardino’s pulpit, from where the saint used to preach.
Let’s leave the city of Perugia to explore its hinterland, where there are places of incomparable beauty, whose charm is increased by their religious interest.
The tourist visiting the area surrounding Perugia will probably be interested in following the paths of Saint Claire and Saint Francis, with their monasteries and holy places. The first step is Assisi, which has been an important destination for tourists and pilgrims for many centuries. Assisi is built on the western flank of Mount Subasio and it is characterised by long steep streets leading to Piazza San Rufino, where the Romanesque cathedral of the same name can be seen, Piazza Santa Chiara (Saint Claire), and the town hall. Among the many monuments and churches the city can boast are: the Basilica of Saint Claire with its characteristic façade of bands of pink and white, which houses the crucifix that spoke to Saint Francis; the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis, which contains the frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto, and which is linked to the Lower Basilica by a stairway. The Porziuncola, an ancient chapel where the Saint took refuge, is in the Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli. The Temple of Minerva is a wonderful temple dating back to the 1st century B.C. Today, where a well-preserved façade with six columns still remains.
Near Assisi Spello is considered one of the treasures of Umbria, rich in history, monuments and works of art such as those by Pinturicchio. Montefalco, near Foligno, is considered the “balcony” of Umbria (a scenic overlook), because wherever you look from this hill, you can enjoy a view of the whole valley. The Church of Saint Francis with its convent is also worth a visit. Built during the 14th century, it contains many frescoes, including “Storie e Vita di San Francesco” (about the saint’s life), by Benozzo Bozzoli, the most famous paintings on this subject after those in Assisi. Today it houses the Saint Francis Civic Museum which displays many works of art.
The Church of S. Agostino is located along the main street and preserves some valuable frescoes of the 14th-16th centuries belonging to the Umbrian School. Going towards the southern area of the province, Spoleto catches the visitor’s attention. It is a wonderfully charming town, not only for its monuments but also for its intimate connection with nature. Clinging to the hillsides it is dominated by the 14th century fortress, the Rocca Albornonziana, the most representative monument of the town and now a national museum. The scenic route from the fortress, leads to the Ponte delle Torri, a 90 metre high daring bridge comprising 10 arches, joining Colle S. Elia to Monteluco.
Among other monuments and churches not to be missed are: the Arco di Druso, an arch built in 23 A.D., as the entrance to the ancient Roman Forum; the cathedral, which has a wonderful Romanesque façade where an amazing mosaic dating back to the 13the century stands out. Inside, there are some works by Pinturicchio, Filippo Lippi and other artists.
On the border with the Marche Region, but still in the province of Perugia is Norcia where Saint Benedict, the first Christian monk, was born. The Basilica dedicated to him was built during the 13th century and later transformed. In the main square are the Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea, built on the remains of an ancient parish and the Palazzo Comunale (Council palace) whose façade has four big windows decorated with columns and with a bell tower to its side. On the way back to Spoleto and Lake Trasimeno, we recommend visiting Todi: the view from its high position is imposing. The city is built on the side of a hill and its districts create a triangular shape. Piazza del Popolo is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, surrounded by the Palazzo del Capitano, the Palazzo del Popolo - now home of the replete Municipal Gallery and the Etruscan Roman Museum - and by the Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century and dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata.
Castiglione del Lago, one of the first villages to be recognised amongst the most beautiful of Italy, is part of the Lake Trasimeno Park which offers its visitors fully equipped beaches, swimming pools, tennis courts, surfing, sailing, and water-skiing opportunities.
The town of Gubbio is also linked to the fame of Saint Francis and carries the traces of its ancient past to this day: it has a Roman Theatre, dating back to the 1st century A.D., located just outside the walls. The very symbol of the town is Palazzo dei Consoli, an imposing complex built in the 14th century and now home of the Gallery and the Archeological Museum; whereas the Palazzo Ducale, built to cater to the Renaissance tastes of Federico da Montefeltro, is located opposite the Cathedral built between the 13th and 14th centuries on the remains of a pre-existing Romanesque church.