Perugia reveals itself through the layers made visible by its buildings: Etruscan architecture, Roman domestic life, medieval urban structures and contemporary art. This transition is particularly easy to see in places where older building elements have been incorporated into later spaces. Those who like to look more closely will find history not only in individual works of art, but also in walls, collections and underground urban spaces.
Walls and underground spaces
You can walk through the interior of the Rocca Paolina. Its complex incorporates houses, towers and streets from a medieval district. The Porta Marzia also tells the story of these architectural layers: the Etruscan gate dates from the 3rd century BC; its upper section is integrated into the façade of the Rocca. The gate and the fortress are thus directly connected architecturally, while their different periods of origin remain distinct.
The Perugia Sotterranea tour offers another perspective on the city’s history. It takes in the north side of the enormous terrace wall of the Etruscan acropolis, which stands more than 15 metres high at this point. The tour also includes a Roman house from the 1st century BC, with a visible impluvium and floors made of cocciopesto. These two stops show different functions of ancient architecture: a massive terrace wall and the layout of a dwelling.
The Fontana Maggiore also rewards a closer look. On the relief panels of the lower basin, Nicola Pisano and Giovanni Pisano depict the twelve months of the year with their corresponding zodiac signs. Viewed together, the representations form a unified calendar and zodiac programme.
Art, collections and science
Palazzo della Penna is a centre for contemporary art with museum facilities and houses two collections. Among the works preserved there are six panels by Joseph Beuys from his performance with Alberto Burri, held at the Rocca Paolina on 3 April 1980. The panels link a specific work of art with a precisely identified event and location. The M.A.N.U. Museo Archeologico nazionale dell’Umbria offers a different perspective: it reconstructs the tomb of the Cai Cutu family, dating from the 3rd to the 1st century BC, including its grave goods. The collections also include prehistoric finds, objects from ancient Umbrian and Etruscan centres, and finds from Roman sites in what is now the Umbria region.
The Casa Museo Palazzo Sorbello displays paintings, porcelain, printed works, manuscripts and embroidered textiles. The collection is housed in an aristocratic palazzo with frescoed rooms and views of Perugia and the Assisi Valley. Visitor offerings at the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo include a tour of the cathedral and its artworks, the Museo Capitolare with its archaeological excavations, and a virtual tour. As schedules may change, it is advisable to check the arrangements before your visit.
Science is also part of the picture at POST – Perugia Officina della Scienza e della Tecnologia: the interactive museum for the city and province of Perugia is considered the region’s leading institution for science communication. It gives people of all ages access to scientific methods and subject matter. Perugia’s offerings thus range from archaeological finds and historic spaces to contemporary art and science.
Franciscan heritage and architecture in Solomeo
The World Heritage property “Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites” is associated with Saint Francis and includes medieval masterpieces by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto. The property includes, among other sites, the Basilica of San Francesco, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, the Rocca Maggiore, the Eremo delle Carceri, San Damiano, Rivotorto and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The designated area covers 14,563 hectares, with a buffer zone of 4,087 hectares. Its many components make clear that this heritage is not limited to a single building.
Solomeo, a medieval village in the province of Perugia, offers a different architectural perspective: a castle and terracotta-paved lanes shape the village’s character. The Foro delle Arti was built by Umbrian craftspeople inspired by the British artists William Morris and John Ruskin. Within the complex, the Teatro Brunello Cucinelli is the central monument; it seats more than 200 people. The village layout, its craft inspiration and the theatre each offer a distinct way to explore architecture.
Exploring Isola Polvese
Isola Polvese can be reached by boat from the landing stages at San Feliciano, Passignano sul Trasimeno and Castiglione del Lago. As boat services and timetables may change, it is worth checking the latest times before travelling. Restored buildings on the island serve a variety of purposes: they house public services, teaching spaces, scientific laboratories and offices. The restored Ex Chiesa Santa Maria della Cerqua serves as a landmark for the walking trails.
Several other sites combine architecture with learning about nature. The restored Ex Fagianaia is used as a multimedia classroom and a centre for learning through experience and investigation. Educational birdwatching takes place at the restored Roccolo di caccia, which is accessible to people with disabilities. The Castello di Difesa has a cantilevered steel walkway, restored in 1999, that makes the rampart walk accessible and safe for visitors. Its courtyard is used for performances and concerts, though there is no regular event calendar. At the highest point of the island, the San Secondo complex comprises the 12th-century Chiesa di San Secondo and the 15th-century Olivetan Monastery of San Secondo.
Discover more destinations: Agello, Casalini Di Panicale, Castel Del Piano, Castel Rigone, Castiglion Fosco, Castiglione Del Lago, Castiglione Della Valle, Cibottola, Collesanto Di Magione, Lisciano Niccone, Magione, Mantignana, Mercatello, Missiano Di Panicale, Monte Del Lago, Monte Petriolo, Paciano, Panicale, Passignano Sul Trasimeno, Perugia, Piegaro, Pozzuolo, Preggio, San Feliciano, San Giovanni Del Pantano, San Fatucchio, Tavernelle, Tuoro Sul Trasimeno, Citerna, Assisi, Bettona, Bevagna, Citta Della Pieve, CittĂ Di Castello, Collazzone, Colvalenza, Compignano, Foligno, Giano Dell Umbria, Gualdo Cattaneo, Gubbio, Lenano, Marsciano, Massa Martana, Migliano, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, Montefalco, Monteleone Di Spoleto, Montepennino, Montignano, Montone, Papiano, Pianello, Preci, Ramazzano, Rancolfo, Ripabianca, San Giustino, San Leo Bastia, Sant'enea, Scritto, Spello, Spoleto, Sterpeto, Todi, Tordandrea, Torgiano, Trevi, Umbertide, Valfabbrica, Casalalta, Gubbio-Nerbisci, Petrignano, Pietralunga, Ferretto, Vitellino, Badiola, San Biagio De La Valle, Deruta, Corciano, Monte Castello Di Vibio, Castel Ritaldi, Scheggino, Savelli, Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Popoli, Norcia, Nocera Umbra, Grutti, Fratta Todina, Chioano, Cascia, Calzolaro, Brufa, Lerchi, Ponte Pattoli, Sant'arcangelo, Moiano, Villastrada, Bastia Umbra, Villa, Gualdo Tadino, Pila, San Martino In Colle, Pietrafitta, Rosceto, Fontignano, Torchiagina, Solomeo, Torricella, Badia, Buchignano, San Terenziano, Campello Sul Clitunno, Piana, Passaggio, Vaiano, Vallo Di Nera, Pitigliano, Ponte Nuovo, Cannara, SantĘĽanatolia Di Narco, Casacastalda, Canalicchio Di Collazzone, San Martino In Campo, Bosco, Valtopina, Panicarola, Gioiello, Porto, Cerreto Di Spoleto, Vernazzano Basso, Poreta, Cimbano, Ripa, Pieve, Ferriera, Collestrada, Bastardo, Bruna, Cerbara, Gaglietole, Pucciarelli, Promano, Marcellano, San Marco, Volterrano, Borghetto, Castello Delle Forme, Capitan Loreto, Montecolognola, Sigillo, Beroide, Scopoli, Colfiorito, Piedicolle, Trestina, Morra, Camerata, Fossato Di Vico, Tordibetto, Rivotorto, Chiugiana-La Commenda, San Sisto, Sellano, Saragano, San Brizio, Cortaccione, Bonsciano, Scheggia E Pascelupo, Torre Del Colle, Ponticelli, San Savino, Capodacqua, Fabbri, Colle Umberto I, Fighille, Casalina, Protte, Pale, Montecastelli, Castelluccio, Terraia, Passaggio Di Assisi, Binami, Pantanella, Casamaggiore, Pierantonio, Camporeggiano, Cenerente, Costacciaro, Matigge, Strettura, Pilonico Materno, Uncinano, Onelli, San Giovanni Di Baiano, Crocemarroggia, Corcia, Branca, Corlo I, Montelovesco, Pompagnano, Colombella, Casenove, Carbonesca, Civitella Benazzone, Mocaiana, Selci Lama, Mezzopiano, Parnacciano, Campi, Ranciano, Rasiglia, Fratticiola Selvatica, Gavelli, Montebibico, San Luca, Colle, Bazzano Superiore, Ospedalicchio, Montecchio, Palazzo, Giomici, Verchiano, Cerqueto, La Fornace, Spedalicchio, Armenzano, Monteluco, San Martino In Trignano, Uppello, Collescille, Santo Stefano dei Piccioni, Sanguineto, Pian di Marte, Grotti, Parlesca, Pupaggi, Casanova di Torre, Poggiodomo, Colpalombo, Monte Vibiano Vecchio, Cerro, Capanne, Ripaioli, Porchiano, Fiore, San Litardo, Macchie, Molinaccio, Pascelupo, San Secondo, Doglio, Civitella d'Arna, Pesciano, Rosciolo, Abeto, Fanciullata, Morcella, Piazzano, Colbassano, Terzo San Severo, Pian di San Martino, Torraccia, Ilci, Collemancio, Sant'Anastasio, Limigiano, Colle Calzolaro, Izzalini, Pezza, Torri, Cecanibbi, Triponzo, Azzano, Villamagina, Ponte Centesimo.
For the regional travel overview: Umbria.
