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Perugia
The capital of the Umbrian region of central Italy, Perugia is a famous artistic magnet in the country. In fact, Renaissance artists like Pietro Vannucci is known by the moniker Perugino as a native son.
Its ancient roots hail from the Etruscans and Romans who have left behind magnificent arches, aqueducts, gates and wells throughout the city such as the Porta Augusta. Its cobblestone streets illustrate that art is everywhere in the city, particularly in the architecture of the everyday.
The central location of the Palazzo dei Priori is a bustling center today, as it houses the local town hall, as well as the Collegio del Cambio with Perugino’s frescos, Collegio della Mercanzia and Galleria Nazionale’s gallery of Ubrian art ranging from the middle ages to the Renaissance.
The famed church and abbey of San Petro from the 16th Century, the Basilica of San Domenica from the 14th Century, the Church of Sant'Angelo from the 6th Century for example are among the places of worship that feats of artistry and heritage. The gorgeous Fontana Maggiore is a medieval fountain from centuries ago sculpted by the Pisano father and son team in Renaissance Italy.
Perugina’s famous Baci (Kisses) chocolate is enjoyed all over the world, making it a national and global pasttime. In fact the city plays host to chocolate lovers from all over the world at its annual chocolate festival every October.
For those seeking a more traditional accompaniment to the afternoon expresso, there are cakes of sugar and pine nuts called pinoccate, and of almonds called torciglione. For St. Costanzo’s day, the locals celebrate their patron saint’s day with a ring-shaped cake of fruit, raisins and pin-nuts.
In Perugia, the art of handmade linen cloth weaving is still alive, dating back centuries—which until today are mainly blue and feature city symbols such as the Griffin, the symbol of Perugia.
