Perugia

Perugia is absolutely the town I know better than the others because I spent the best period of my life. Everybody has the chance to have a walk and a look in this town will be conquered. that is guaranteed 100%.

To join the center of Perugia, the easiest way is to park the car in one of the parking cars around the "Acropolis" (the oldest part of the town). I suggest you to let the car in Piazzale Europa, because is closer than the others and not so expensive. You will follow people and the direction to the top of a little hill. then, taking the escalator and passing through Rocca Paolina, you will arrive directely in piazza Italia. Rocca Paolina is the starting point for everyone who wants to visit the center of the town. Originally it was a military fortess built at the end of the "War for Salt" between the Perugian population and the papal State, by the winner, Pope Paolo III Farnese, to symbolize the control of the Church over the city. Today its ruins (rebuilt) are often used for art exhibits and antique markets.

Before going to the main road "Corso Vannucci", please turn around and go to see the Belvedere which offers you all the landscape around Perugia: If it is a sunny day you will see also Assisi and the main hill, Subasio. that is the best place to take good pictures.

Corso Vannuci, as I said, it's a long and large promenade where everybody has a walk: it is full of good clothes shops and bar. Perugia is the town of chocolate (the famous chocolate brand Perugina comes frome here!), so i suggest you a stop in Sandri Cafe'.

In the first half of October (Eurochocolate) and in the first half of July (Umbria Jazz) you will find the best events: the second one is a tradition since more than 30 years with hundreds of jazz players coming from all over the world; the first event is almost 10 year of story, but it's a very important chocolade parade. In both of the events you will found the center full of people and some live events 8most of them for free) will be organised.

Corso Vannucci ends to Piazza IV Novembre and the Fontana Maggiore (XIII century): the Fountain is composed by two polygonal basinwas and was built to celebrate the contruction of the aqueduct which brought for the first time the water from the mountain above and the town. The Fountain was built up and decorated by Nicola Pisano and his son between 1277 and 1278. Behind the Fountain there here is also the Cathedral of the town, San Lorenzo. In front of the Fountain, in Corso Vannucci, there is the National Gallery of Umbria, which is one of the most important exhibition of the Gothic painting, with masterpieces by Duccio di Boninsegna, Beato Angelico, Piero della Francesca.

Wolking in the center of Perugia takes time but is really worth. Medieval buildings, narrows streets, mysterious path and promenade upon arches give you the impression to be in a move set.