Perugia: Art, History and Paths through the City

Perugia brings together art, architecture and different historical periods in its historic city centre.

Fountains, palaces and art collections

The Fontana Maggiore was built between 1278 and 1280 by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano to celebrate the completion of Perugia’s new aqueduct. It consists of two superimposed concentric basins decorated with 50 bas-reliefs and 24 statues. The fountain thus combines architectural history and figurative design within a confined space.

The Palazzo dei Priori houses the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria. Its Gothic portal leads to the Sala dei Notari. The Galleria’s collection spans the 13th to the 19th century. It also has 3,500 square metres of exhibition space spread across 40 rooms, a tower and a chapel, offering an overview of 800 years of Italian art history.

The Rocca Paolina was built between 1540 and 1543 to a design by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Houses, towers and streets from an entire neighbourhood were incorporated into it; this area can still be walked through inside today. Today, the Rocca is an exhibition centre served by escalators.

Archaeology, churches and modern art

The Pozzo Etrusco is located in today’s Piazza Piccinino. The Laboratorio–Museo Giuditta Brozzetti is housed in the Church of San Francesco delle Donne, a 13th-century church and the first Franciscan settlement in Perugia. The Cattedrale di San Lorenzo provides access to the Museo Capitolare with its archaeological excavations. The Palazzo della Penna stands on the remains of the Roman Marzio amphitheatre and partially incorporates a medieval street layout as well as a medieval city wall. It houses two collections: one dedicated to Gerardo Dottori and the Umbrian Futurists, and another dedicated to Joseph Beuys in Perugia. The palazzo brings together archaeological traces, medieval urban structures and modern art in one of Perugia’s locations.

Another notable landmark is the Arco Etrusco, a monumental Etruscan gate from the 3rd century BC. The Oratorio di San Bernardino is considered an outstanding example of Renaissance art in Perugia. Together with the exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Priori and the Rocca Paolina, this creates a cultural tour spanning the Etruscan and Roman periods through to 19th- and 20th-century art.

Outdoors and along the circular route

The Fontana Maggiore and the Arco Etrusco are outdoor sites; both are accessible to people with motor disabilities.

The Anello di Perugia circular route runs along the forests of Monte Malbe and then reaches San Marco. It begins at the Percorso Verde in Pian di Massiano.

More destinations

Gualdo Cattaneo, Collemancio, Porto, Carbonesca, Villastrada, Monte Vibiano Vecchio, Castello Delle Forme, Costacciaro

To the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.