When the city of Rome was little more that an encampment of huts, one could already enter the etruscan Perugia using one of 7 portals, among which one was particularly mighty, the Porta Pulchra or of Augustus, dating back to Etruscan times. Continuing along, you'll reach the Piazza del Sopramuro, where the 15th century Palace of the Old University and the adjacent Palace of the People's Captain look down on the square. Further on, after a short climb, you'll find yourself in one of Italy's most important squares, where you'll see the Priors' Palace , the Cathedral , and the 13th century fountain Fontana Maggiore at the center. Map of the historical town center of Perugia Click to enlarge At the extreme end of Corso Vannucci you'll find famous panoramic gardens built on the foundations of the Rocca Paolina, a strong-hold built by Pope Paul III in 1540. Perugia's ascents and stairways are usually quite steep, both the most ancient and the most recent.
Prome is a typical example.
Leaving from the Augustus Arc , this way lead to the upper point of Perugia, where used to be the castle of Porta Sole, erected in the XIV century by the dal Gattapone, and destroyed later for willing of the whole town people. A short visit in Perugia is definetly interesting, but is a longer visit which will reveal all the atistic jewels in detail. Even if you are on a short visit, you should not miss the archtectural 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. Bella Umbria - Bottom in English . .