This post is for Janine, who writes Destination Umbria. Perugia is her town and as well as being famous for chocolate it is a gorgeous hilltop town in the green heart of Umbria. It is a university and language school town and has a lively atmosphere in its historical centre.
We parked outside the old city in a huge free carpark opposite the station and took the cute mini train up to the centre…what a great idea.
We began our visit in the stunning main square, Piazza 4th November. It is surrounded by magnificent buildings, including the Cathedral of St Lawrence. Its history dates back to 1,000AD, but it was in the 16th century that the building took its present appearance. The loggia dates from 1423 and below that, sections of Roman wall are still visible. It is presided over by a stern looking gentleman.
The interior is spectacular.
Opposite the cathedral is the equally special Palazzo dei Priori…begun in 1270 with modifications and extensions over the next few centuries. A griffin and a lion guard the entrance.
Inside the building is the amazing Notaries’ room with a ceiling supported by 8 Romanic arches.
There is another entrance around the corner, with a fabulous doorway.
In between the 2 buildings is the Great Fountain, the end of the aqueduct that brings water to the centre of the town. It was built in 1277 and the decorative sculptures were built by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. It was intended to present a city at the height of its political and cultural power. It seems to be doing a fine job still.
By now it was time for coffee and we lucked onto the Sandri, in Via Vannucci,which has been serving coffee and delicious pastries since 1860.
We wandered around the narrow, winding (always) streets and found the most amazing and grand old buiildings.
The views over the countryside are lovely.
There is a pretty park in Piazza D’Italia.
We did a tourist thing and had lunch at one of the outdoor restaurants in Via Vannucci at the appropriately named Il Bacio ( Perugia is the home of Baci chocolates). Our pizza was excellent.
It is easy to see why Janine is a Perugia fan.
So beautiful!
By: marycheshier on April 13, 2014
at 8:33 pm
Perugia is a gem.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 4:23 pm
It sure looks like it! Such beautiful pictures…
By: marycheshier on April 23, 2014
at 2:27 am
I love that word perambulating and I love the alliteration – great headline. Lovely images.
By: Just Add Attitude on April 13, 2014
at 8:35 pm
I don’t mind a bit of alliteration.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:10 am
All the photographs are lovely,thank you.
By: ranu802 on April 13, 2014
at 8:46 pm
Tuscany is very beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:11 am
There are griffins everywhere in Perugia. My favour it mythical creature and the city’s symbol!
By: mulino dominillo on April 13, 2014
at 9:11 pm
The original griffin and lion from the building are inside…very impressive.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:09 am
A visit is needed
By: Liz Litzow on April 13, 2014
at 9:33 pm
You need to go to Spello too.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:09 am
Your meandering adventure through the narrow streets must have been delightful .. thus a treasure trove of photo ops and joy! …. and Perugia is a place that has been on my wish list.
By: aFrankAngle on April 13, 2014
at 10:02 pm
We have been before, but this time we had a good wander around the city. There is much to see.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:08 am
Lovely photos! I really enjoyed taking this tour around Perugia with you. I kept noticing how many arches appeared all around town. They are in the doorways and windows and bridges. That is really interesting how that architectural detail repeats itself.
By: Jackie Cangro on April 13, 2014
at 10:12 pm
What we noticed about Perugia is that everything seem very big and grand, and yes, there were lots of archways.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:08 am
What a beautiful city….love the photos Debra.
By: Jim & Kerry on April 14, 2014
at 12:06 am
There is lots to see in Perugia and that little train I to the city is wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 8:07 am
Can I hit the “Like” button about a thousand times on this post? I would if I could.
By: Eagle-Eyed Editor on April 14, 2014
at 2:48 am
What awesome interiors and such a beautiful town – it must have a positive impact on the psyche of the inhabitants of a town such as that – it would make you feel so proud and protective of its reputation, I imagine. Yum, yum things in the pasticceria too.
By: Jan on April 14, 2014
at 3:36 am
Lovely photos. I really enjoyed Perugia.
By: Lyn on April 14, 2014
at 5:50 am
It is an interesting place to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 4:28 pm
Of course I loved this post… once I’d wiped the tears from me eyes. Thank you Deb!!! I only wish I had been there with you to stroll and eat cake and drink coffee together at Bar Sandri. You’ve captured it all beautifully.
By: janinevasta on April 14, 2014
at 11:13 am
We will do it together one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 4:28 pm
Definitely one for the Italophiles. I bet Janine isn’t the only one that would liked to have been there! Lovely post, Debra.
By: kayrpea61 on April 14, 2014
at 11:49 am
There is certainly lots to see in Perugia.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 4:27 pm
How awful that Perugia will now for ever be associated in my and so many other English minds with the terrible murder of poor Meredith Kercher from Coulsdon, (near where I lived in London) by (and this is after a retrial this year) Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. There is a dark side to this city of drugs and sexual exploitation- now very well documented by many investigators – that has put me off from ever visiting it again – a pity because it used to be a beautiful and safe place to be in ( I lived there in the 1960’s).
By: Francis on April 14, 2014
at 3:09 pm
That was and still is a horrible business. Who will ever know the truth.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 14, 2014
at 4:26 pm
Always amazing what you can find on those narrow, winding streets…:) Almost always wonderful! Love your wandering photos.
By: timelessitaly on April 14, 2014
at 9:29 pm
[…] Perambulating in Perugia. This post is for Janine, who writes Destination Umbria. Perugia is her town and as well as being famous for chocolate it is a gorgeous hilltop town in the green heart of Umbria. […]
By: Perambulating in Perugia | Bagni di Lucca and B... on April 15, 2014
at 7:36 am
[…] This post is for Janine, who writes Destination Umbria. Perugia is her town and as well as being famous for chocolate it is a gorgeous hilltop town in the green heart of Umbria. It is a university … […]
By: Perambulating in Perugia | Umbria & Italy |... on April 15, 2014
at 7:59 am
Thanks for taking me with you to Perugia. Some beautiful sights to see, and delicious food to eat. I love that gorgeous lion, and the beautiful painted ceilings. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on April 15, 2014
at 3:07 pm
I still find it amazing that these incredible places exist at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 17, 2014
at 5:34 am
Your post about Umbria and Tuscany make me realize that I need to make a return trip. The last time I was in that area I broke my foot on the first day I was there and was so limited to what I could do. Your photos are just wonderful.
By: Karen on April 15, 2014
at 8:59 pm
What a pity about your foot. I dislocated my ankle a few years ago and hobbling around is no fun at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 17, 2014
at 5:33 am
What a beautiful jewel! Thank you for showing it to us Debra 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on April 16, 2014
at 9:26 am
…one of many precious jewels in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 17, 2014
at 5:31 am
Always happy to see your gander to Italian places. And you do take to see so much! Loving the interior designs on both historical buildings.
By: rommel on April 19, 2014
at 2:05 am
I love your pictures, I am a big fan of Perugia loved my 5 night stay
By: Ishita on August 28, 2015
at 9:37 am