Things to Do in Perugia

This castle was built in 1373 and was considered to be a part of evidence of Cardinal Aegidius Albornoz’s power and control. Major parts of the castle were destroyed in an uprising but its large walls remain even today and are visible externally. The best way to reach it is to go to the Piazza Partigiani’s underground parking and take an escalator from there. It is worth visiting for its remains and beauty.

The visit is divided into four sections:

• Era succeeding the construction of the fortress, late 15th to early 16th century.
• Construction of the tower.
• Fortress and city between 1540 and 1860.
• Destruction of fortress in the 19th century and annexation of Perugia to the Kingdom of Italy.

This Lake has a surface area of 128 km. sq. and 2 small streams flow into the Lake with the water level in it fluctuating during rainy season and seasonal demands from nearby towns. This lake is shallow and muddy and one can view nature at its best here. It is rich in fishes and serves as a refuge for birds. As it is located in the city’s heart, it is a great base for visiting Tuscany and Umbria.

Ideal for a day picnic, the lake area has bunch of great activities like spa and wellness centres, boating.

This is a medieval fountain which is a monument in itself. It is quite huge and circular in shape. The sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano created it between 1277 and 1278. The basin has been divided into 25 sides which contain sculptures of saints and prophets along with the labour of months, zodiac signs and major events from Roman history and also scenes from the Genesis. It is quite beautiful to look at.

This cathedral is dedicated to Saint Lorenzo and was completed in 1490. You will find incomplete pink and white marble lozenges on the outside while the main façade boasts of a trial section which faces the smaller Piazza Dante. Some remarkable Renaissance structures, Roman walls, Cosmatesque mosaics and ancient fragments all together forms the exteriors with the interiors being equally beautiful having 2 aisles and a nave.

The Museo Del Capitolo is located within the Duomo.

This is a paleo-Christian circular temple which dates to the 5th and 6th century and is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The place was made into a fort in 1479 but was restored in 1948 to reveal closed windows and ancient frescoes. You will find Corinthian capped columns here inside the church which is famous for the Romanesque style of architecture along with Byzantine influences in the placement of chapels.

This special tram stretches over 3.2 kilometres and covers 7 stations. It was started in 2008 February and helped to control the city’s excess car traffic. It uses 25 vehicles in total, each of which can hold 25 passengers and travel at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. This mode of transport can be of great use for tourists to get to many interesting places in the city and also offers a nice view of the city.

Being the city’s artistic centre, this place boasts of such reliefs that were carved in the 13th century along with a gothic cathedral. The Palazzo Priori which is an Italian medieval palace can also be found here along with a fountain.

When visiting this square, do not miss relishing on the local Gelato!

You will find some of the finest Italian collection of paintings which represent the Umbrian School of painting that were created between the 13th and 19th century. Each of the 23 galleries is worth visiting. The building where this gallery is housed is a historic building in itself. One can make use of many information boards in both English and Italian which contains descriptions about each period and arts associated to it.

This is one of the main streets in the city which gets its name from a painter named Pietro Vannucci. It is home to some beautiful and historic attractions having great significance along with various boutiques, shops, libraries, theatres, bars and shops and is a great for evening walks. It also marks the entrance to the National Gallery of Umbria where the street intersects with via dei Priori.

Walk around, observe people and Shop for Cashmere wear in Corso Vannucci; the shops here offer a fine variety.

It is a little town and is quite charming to roam around in. One will find some great architecture and historic buildings here along with some restaurants and shops. One can opt for a bus tour to get a better view of the same.

Being founded in 1921 by Giuditta Brozzetti, this museum and laboratory is one of the last workshops related to hand-weaving in Italy. This place is famous for the wonderful cloths that are weaved here and the artisans demonstrate their weaving on different looms. It is a family tradition of creating textiles which has been passed through 4 female generations.

This museum was set up in San Domenico’s convent in 1948. A lot of archaeological digs gave way to the collection which began in the late 18th century. You can visit the various sections of this museum which reflect on different periods and also display objects and collectables found in those eras. You will find the famous ‘Cippus of Perugia’ here too. Visitors interested in knowing about prehistoric and historic eras must not miss out on this place.

This 13th century place is the former home of the money changers in this region. The museum was built between 1452 and 1457 and some of the best preserved Renaissance frescoes and artistic masterpieces in Italy which have been painted by Perugino can be found here. Even though the entire place consists of 2 rooms only all the frescoes are worth viewing.

The chamber tomb which was discovered in 1840 happens to be an excellent and renowned example of Etruscan tombs found in the Hellenistic period. This site surrounds the Hypogeum and contains many chamber tombs which were a part of archaic and Hellenistic. You will find architecturally rich tombs which contain a gabled lid with writings or gables and are decorated with motifs. Some tombs also have figured scenes boasting of mythological subjects.

Marchioness Barabara Marini Clarelli was a local historian, restorer and painter who wanted to establish a foundation to combine her husband’s name with her own. Her husband was Francesco Santi who was an art historian. As per her vision, this museum bears some historical furnishings which are grand and beautiful.