Perugia is a beautifully preserved hill town in Umbria that has withstood the march of time well architecturally but remains on the cutting edge of cultural events.
The interior of the walled city looks much the same as it has over the last few centuries, with some restaurants and businesses being around for more than a hundred years.
Perugia's student population brings a youthful feel to such an old city and it can make for a perfect place to rent your villa in Italy!
The famous Etruscans that settled much of the Italian peninsula also settled Perugia before the 6th Century BC. The Romans took over control in the 4th Century BC. Much later the city dealt with a long period of internal strife in the Middle Ages with a feud between two major families. By the 16th Century the city was under the control of the Papal States and remained so until the Kingdom of Italy was formed in the 1800s.
The interior of the walled city looks much the same as it has over the last few centuries, with some restaurants and businesses being around for more than a hundred years.
Perugia's student population brings a youthful feel to such an old city and it can make for a perfect place to rent your villa in Italy!
The famous Etruscans that settled much of the Italian peninsula also settled Perugia before the 6th Century BC. The Romans took over control in the 4th Century BC. Much later the city dealt with a long period of internal strife in the Middle Ages with a feud between two major families. By the 16th Century the city was under the control of the Papal States and remained so until the Kingdom of Italy was formed in the 1800s.
Amidst all this change and struggle the city formed a rich tradition of culture. The famous fresco painter Bernardino Pinturicchio and his master Pietro Vannucci both called the city home, and Vannucci later went on to teach Raphael. Today there is the University of Perugia, as well as a few other smaller Universities such as the Università per Stranieri or University for Foreigners which offers classes in Italian language, art, and culture to students coming from around the world.
However there is more in Perugia than history and students. While in your vacation rental in Perugia you can visit the Palazzo dei Priori. Once the 'town hall' where the business of running the city was handled, today it houses the National Art Gallery of Umbria as well as a few smaller museums. It sits in the Piazza IV Novembre in the heart of the city. Like most Italian towns the Piazza is a large open air gathering point for the citizens of Perugia, and in its center sits the gorgeous Fontana Maggiore. The fountain was built in the 13th century and has been a focal point of the city since it was finished, each panel depicting a small scene of various nature.
However there is more in Perugia than history and students. While in your vacation rental in Perugia you can visit the Palazzo dei Priori. Once the 'town hall' where the business of running the city was handled, today it houses the National Art Gallery of Umbria as well as a few smaller museums. It sits in the Piazza IV Novembre in the heart of the city. Like most Italian towns the Piazza is a large open air gathering point for the citizens of Perugia, and in its center sits the gorgeous Fontana Maggiore. The fountain was built in the 13th century and has been a focal point of the city since it was finished, each panel depicting a small scene of various nature.
While you wander through the beautiful streets of the city, be sure to take a trip down the Corso Vannucci to visit the many shops, bars and restaurants that line the main avenue.
You can also visit the Rocca Paolina, the fortress that Pope Paul III built after the Papal takeover of the city.
It was built on some of the houses and streets destroyed during the Papal takeover and you can visit some of these ruins that are remain under the fortress. Today the fortress houses art exhibits that you can visit as well.
Perugia is home to many festivals as well.
For two weeks in July you can visit the Umbria Jazz Festival, an internationally renowned festival of music. In late September the city hosts Classic Perugia where concerts, classes and exhibitions can be viewed, seen and experienced for yourself. Eurochocolate is held each October in the city, well known for its Chocolate itself.
With such a wealth of things to do and see just in the city itself, a villa rental in Perugia is a great choice for a vacation you will be talking about for years. If you want help in the search for a villa perfect for you and your traveling group, our Villa Specialists are standing by to assist you!
You can also visit the Rocca Paolina, the fortress that Pope Paul III built after the Papal takeover of the city.
It was built on some of the houses and streets destroyed during the Papal takeover and you can visit some of these ruins that are remain under the fortress. Today the fortress houses art exhibits that you can visit as well.
Perugia is home to many festivals as well.
For two weeks in July you can visit the Umbria Jazz Festival, an internationally renowned festival of music. In late September the city hosts Classic Perugia where concerts, classes and exhibitions can be viewed, seen and experienced for yourself. Eurochocolate is held each October in the city, well known for its Chocolate itself.
With such a wealth of things to do and see just in the city itself, a villa rental in Perugia is a great choice for a vacation you will be talking about for years. If you want help in the search for a villa perfect for you and your traveling group, our Villa Specialists are standing by to assist you!