Spend at least two hours for the walk that
starts from Piazza IV Novembre, the city center, where the
'mother' of all the fountains shines: the Fontana Maggiore,
one of the most beautiful of the thirteenth century for
the elegance of the lines and the value of the decorations.
In about five minutes, passing through Piazza Danti, you
will arrive in via Rocchi at the Fonte dell’Arco Etrusco,
with classical forms: it was built in 1621 close to the
left tower of the Etruscan gate, in Piazza Braccio Fortebraccio.
Now cross via Baldeschi and you are immediately at the Fountain
in via Maestà delle Volte, built in 1928 to a design by
Pietro Angelini. In another handful of minutes, after having
crossed via Fratti, via della Stella and via dei Priori,
you are in the presence of one of the most ancient sources
of Perugia: the Fontana del Piscinello. In ten quick minutes,
the road is downhill, you arrive at the Fonte dei Tintori,
in via San Galigano. The ancient artifact was erected in
1388. A walk of about twenty minutes awaits you to reach
Fonte di Veggio, a work designed by Matteo Salvucci (1615-1642)
which takes its name from the then owner of the land; take
the same time or a little longer to get to the gardens of
San Ercolano in piazza Matteotti, where you can admire the
17th century Fountain of Neptune. In the center of an octagonal
basin, it has a column supporting a basin from which the
god Neptune emerges. Reach via Marzia and you are again
near the center. Here, leaning against the wall of the Rocca
Paolina, you will find the Fonte Lomellina, in travertine,
built between 1678 and 1685.
Perugia trails
Discover the intimate and unseen aspects
of Perugia, hidden from distracted and hurried eyes. Explore itineraries
that allow visitors to delve into the heart of the historic center,
navigating through a dense network of alleyways. The authenticity and
uniqueness of the city within these narrow streets are so profound that
the allure and sensations experienced by modern visitors are not too
dissimilar from those of travelers in the 19th century, such as Taine
or Hawthorne.
Book now your holiday
Book now your holiday
WELLS AND FOUNTAINS
Following the fountains of Perugia
WELLS AND FOUNTAINS
Following the fountains of Perugia
ETRUSCAN WALLS AND GATES
A great example of Etruscan architecture
ETRUSCAN WALLS AND GATES
A great example of Etruscan architecture
Perugia was one of the main Etruscan towns.
Its external walls, dating back to the third century BC (with
some older, fourth century parts), still witness the importance
the town had acquired. The whole perimeter is some three kilometers
(1.5 miles) long; many sections remain visible, while others
have been incorporated within later buildings. The town walls
were built by using travertine blocks shaped like squares
or trapezoids, in rows superimposed to one another without
any mortar. We can still nowadays recognize letters of the
Etruscan alphabet on the blocks. On the North side of the
walls, where the Via Amerina (the road to Amelia) left the
town, there rises the Etruscan Arch. It was called porta pulchra,
'the Beautiful Gate', already in the Middle Ages because of
its imposing and refined architecture.
BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
Panoramic points of Perugia
BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
Panoramic points of Perugia
After discovering Perugia "from the ground
floor", all that remains is to climb up and admire from above
the wonderful views, buildings and attractions of the city.
Here are the best views of Perugia. From the Belvedere Carducci
you can enjoy one of the most open views of the southern part
of the city: the Tiber Valley, the Umbrian Valley and the
mountain systems from the Eugubin to the Coscerno. Porta Sole
- Via delle Prome: from the parapet of Piazza Rossi Scotti,
which continues for the first stretch of the staircase of
Via delle Prome, you can enjoy a beautiful view that stretches
from east to north, from the medieval walls of Borgo Sant'Antonio
to Borgo Sant'Angelo with the formwork, the Temple of Sant'Angelo
and, at the top, Monteripido. The covered market terrace offers
a view to the east over the city as far as San Domenico and
San Pietro, with their characteristic bell towers, while the
view from the underlying park of Santa Margherita extends
to the Subasio with Assisi and the surrounding mountains.
Arch of Via Appia: from here you can enjoy a valuable view
of the Conca, crossed by the characteristic hanging waterway
and the village of Sant'Angelo.
UNDERGROUND PERUGIA
Trace the history of the acropolis
UNDERGROUND PERUGIA
Trace the history of the acropolis
To begin your trip in underground Perugia,
head to the Museo del Capitolo di San Lorenzo, next to the
cathedral of the same name. The visit begins from the cloister
of the Canonica, via a side staircase. You will find yourself
in the Sala del Conclave, where four Popes were elected: Honorius
III, Honorius IV, Celestine V and Clement V. Leaving the room,
follow the route indicated, which will guide you to the remains
of the Etruscan walls, built to make the acropolis of Perugia
appear even more majestic. Here there was a temple, perhaps
dedicated to Juno-Hera (in Etruscan, Uni). Proof of this can
be seen in the vault, of medieval origins, built in the foundations
of the Cathedral which can be visited. Still following the
route, walk on the ancient cobbled road, first used by the
Etruscans and later the Romans, on which the ruts left by
cart wheels are still visible today. Continue your trip following
the ancient Roman road and you will find yourself below Piazza
Cavallotti. If you want to make your trip to underground Perugia
even more exciting, check the CAI website which organises
exciting and fascinating "walks". You can be a speleologist/archaeologist
for a day and see the Etruscan well, the underground areas
of the Cathedral, the Postierla della Conca, a secondary entry
gate to the town, near the Roman aqueduct, that allows access
to the deep underground passages intended for pedestrians
or also, according to some, for flood waters, as well as the
air-raid shelter- a historic place that joins Corso Cavour
to Rocca Paolina.