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 PALAZZO
DEI PRIORI The
construction of this marvellous medieval palace started in 1298 and went
on until 1353. The palace is built in travertine with decoration in red
and white marble and presents an asymmetrical arrangement: the main portal
is off centre with respect to the facade and there is a wide semi-circular
stair-case. The door leads to the Sala dei Notari. Above the great ogival
door there are two splendid medieval bronzes of the Griffin, emblem of
the city, and the Lion. The Sala dei Notari is a superb wide hall where
first the people and then the notaries used to gather. There are frescoes
by P. Cavallini showing legend tales and coats of arms. As we come out
of the building along Corso Vannucci, we note the harmonious progression
of the mullioned lancet windows with three lights. Here is the Portale
Maggiore: an elaborate rounded gothic doorway with, at the top, the saints
of the city (S. Ercolano, S. Costanzo, S. Lorenzo). The Palazzo dei Priori
also hosts the National Gallery of Umbria, the Exchange Guilds and the
Merchants' Guild.
FONTANA MAGGIORE (MAIN
FOUNTAIN) The main fountain, realised by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano
in collaboration with Fra' Bevignate between 1277 and 1278, represents
the masterpiece of the city. It is composed of two polygonal basins, the
upper one with a smaller diameter. At the top there is a small vessel
enriched of three sculptures: the Nymphs. They represent the three
Christian Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity). The lower basin is composed of 48 panels.
They describe the months of the year, the Zodiac, the Liberal Arts and
some biblical episodes. The upper basin is composed of several panels
without decoration divided by 24 statues of biblical personages, symbolic
figures and saints.
 NATIONAL
GALLERY OF UMBRIA It is placed at the third floor of the Palazzo
dei Priori and it is the main Umbrian museum. The Gallery presents
marvellous paintings of Perugino, Benozzo Gozzoli, Beato Angelico
and Bernardino di Betto called the Pinturicchio. There is also the
famous and important painting by Piero della Francesca, that is the
Polittico di S. Antonio. Other works are the Madonna col Bambino
of Duccio di Boninsegna, the Crocefisso by the maestro of S.Francesco
(XIII century), the Madonna della consolazione and the Madonna
col Bambino e I Santi by Pietro Perugino (1445-1523), the Polittico
dei domenicani by Beato Angelico. There are also jewels, bronzes,
sculptures, avory objects for a period from XIII to XVII century.
THE CATHEDRAL OF SAN
LORENZO It is a gothic building started in 1345 and never finished,
erected above an ancient Romanic church. It is consecrated to S. Lorenzo,
there is a beautiful circular window about his martyrdom realised
by Ludovico Caselli, and it is composed of three slim naves and huge
bases in red and white marble. There are also the XIV century wooden
choir, the S. Bernardino Chapel, the Baptistry and the PeruginoChapel with the important painting by Signorelli, the
Madonna col Bambino. The cathedral faces to Piazza IV Novembre, where it is possible
to note the characteristic geometrical decoration with pink and white
marble, the statue of pope Giulio III, the pulpit of S. Bernardino
and the wooden crucifix dated XVI century, the period of the famous
salt war. Close to the cathedral there are the Logge of Braccio
Fortebraccio, built in 1423.
ETRUSCAN ARCH Also
called Arch of August, it represents the power of Perugia in the
antiquity. It was built during III century b.C. and it was restored
by the Romans after emperor Ottaviano conquered the city. T here is
an inscription above the arch of the old name of the town: Augusta
Perusia. Close to the arch, a beautiful Renaissance loggia with columns
and a wooden roof nicely decorated.
 HYPOGEUM
OF THE VOLUMNI It is situated 5 kilometres far from Perugia and it
represents the tomb of the Volumni, rich and noble Etruscan family. It
is composed of the entrance, the atrium and other rooms with volcanic
rock ceilings. In this rooms there are seven wonderful urns which contain
the members of the family. In the lower part of the Hypogeum there are
mirrors, vases, weapons and other objects collected around the city.
Etruscan Well –
Etruscan architectural expression of II century B.C. 35m deep and 5 m
wide.
Torre degli Sciri – Built in 1200 it is a 46m high tower and
it is the only remained of several towers erected in Perugia.
Santa Giuliana – It is a medieval church with beautiful frescoes
and a wonderful cloister. Close to the church, the ancient convent it
is now the place of the Foreign Language School of the Italian Army.
Tempio di S. Angelo – It is a VI A.C. century building with
a circular base and a beautiful altar in the middle.
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo – It is a palace erected by
Gasperino d'Antonio characterised by a wonderful portal like the one of
the Palazzo dei Priori. It is now the place of the tribunal.
S. Ercolano – It is an elegant and superb church built above
particular stairs where was killed S. Ercolano, bishop of Perugia, by
the emperor Totila. The original structure, in polygonal base, dated XIII
– XIV century.
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