A powerful Etruscan center and later an important medieval city, Perugia lovingly preserves precious traces of its bright historical periods. Today it is the administrative capital of the Umbria region, a major cultural and tourist destination and the prestigious home of the University of Studies for more than 700 years. The historic Academy of Fine Arts, the Conservatory of Music and its University for Foreigners, with students from all over the world, define its distinct international vocation.Brilliant and lively culturally and socially, Perugia is a city full of “secrets” to be revealed: the suggestion is to explore it with curiosity to fully enjoy the excitement and charm of discovery. Gateway to the acropolis is the Rocca Paolina, a unique historical-architectural complex, a “container” of the medieval city hidden inside. Crossing it with the escalators, among historical vestiges and contemporary suggestions, one ascends to the heart of the city, in which Peruginians and students like to find themselves, which immediately fascinates and has so fascinated visitors on the Grand Tour. Beginning the visit, the city suggests various itineraries that in their paths recompose, as in an ideal book, page after page, the many layers of Italian and European history. From the thirteenth-century Fontana Maggiore starts an enchanting route through the historic center, rich in treasures, that will lead you to the discovery of other excellences, sometimes unsuspected, of a city that will not cease to amaze you: museums, churches, monuments, palaces, medieval towers as well as significant modern and contemporary testimonies. Five are the districts that from the acropolis, like the fingers of a hand, open to the visit: a series of ups and downs, streets and lanes, alleys and stairways, underground tracks, unusual and picturesque views of bright landscapes that cross tracks still proud of the beautiful Etruscan-Roman and medieval city walls. To visit Perugia, is to have a unique multisensory experience: rich public and private museums, artistic craft workshops, gluttony of a typical cuisine that is well worth a restorative stop while admiring the enchanting views of the Umbrian valley and fully enjoying the peculiarities of a city still on a human scale. Perugino, Pinturicchio and Raphael, the contemporaneity of Burri and Beuys will accompany you among the notes of Umbria Jazz, the Sagra Musicale Umbra, the rich theatrical season set in the jewels of the city: from the Teatro Morlacchi, to the eighteenth-century Teatro del Pavone, the small experimental theaters and even in the open-air squares, and then continue through the ancient villages and in the many libraries, in happy occasions for meeting and debate. Openness and dialogue between the various cultures and religions testify to the civilized custom of society: but Perugia will not cease to amaze, for it also knows how to play, with chocolate as with the imaginary, allowing one to stroll through the streets of the center meeting Braccio Fortebracci during the days of Perugia 1416, the moment when history comes alive and everyone can experience the thrill of living it. Secluded, and because of that authentic, Perugia will be for tourists, students and visitors a stimulating experience in all seasons of the year, a smiling and intelligent look at the history and current events of this city of art that offers an image of the best of Italy.
