PERUGIA

From Roma,  Civitavecchia or Florence, 8 hours or 12 hours, Medioeval City tour, Umbria tour

 Perugia and its surrounding countryside are rich in prehistoric remains, history and fable.

Perugia has a long tradition as a university city. Its university was founded during the 13th century. Perugia was a very important Etruscan city with marvellous buildings such as the Etruscan Arch or the Etruscan Well. The Roman emperor Ottaviano conquered the city and gave it a new name: Augusta Perusia. The great "Guelf strong-hold" rises up in the region's heart, with its 5 quarters closed-in by its Etruscan town walls. These enormous bastions formed by cyclopic square masses, were constructed 22 centuries ago and are still visible for long stretches.

Famous panoramic gardens deserve a visit: built on the foundations of the Rocca Paolina, a strong-hold built by Pope Paul III in 1540. These foundations contain, similar to under an enormous bell, an entire quarter of the old Perugia: a dead city, a sort of Medieval Pompei which has been brought tot light again and which is fascinating to visit 

You should not miss the architectural complex of St. Francesco, with the Oratory of St. Bernardino, a masterpiece of Agostino di Duccio, who, in covering the facade with bas-reliefs of enchanting grace and modelled fineness, made it a little poem of Renaissance sculpture. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the musical festival UmbriaJazz and the gastronomic festival Eurochocolate.