Perugia - Cuore dell'Umbria
by croisbeauty
Perugia is in the heart of Italy's Green Heart, and the visitor will see at first glance that this expression is well suited to Umbria.
Perugia is a city of art and culture that is surrounded by towns of smaller dimensions but not of lesser qualities, Assisi, Todi, Spoleto, Citta del Castello, Gubbio, Orvieto.
The countryside between Perugia and the smaller towns is some of the most beautiful in Italy. From the gently rolling hills that surround Lake Trasimeno to the austere beauty of the Valnerina, passing through the fertile plain of the upper Tiber valley, the landscape offers a wide variety of natural beauty.
There are great number of historical sights in Perugia, some of them a must see : Palazzo dei Priori, Oratorio di S. Bernandino, Arco Etrusco, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and many many more.
Todi
by iandsmith
Yet another striking hilltop town perched above the Tiber Valley, Todi has a continuous history from Etruscan times yet its population of 17,000 never gets swamped by tourists though they are in evidence.
The day we were there the main piazza was quiet and we soaked up the relaxed air of the place while doing afternoon tea.
The Piazza del Popolo (yes, I know, not another one) is relaxed and reflects an uncorrupted mediaeval atmosphere with the Palazzo dei Priori (1293-1337), Palazzo del Capitano (1290), Duomo and the Palazzo del Popolo surrounding it and the latter also houses a museum specializing in Etruscan and Roman artifacts.
The Duomo, built over a Roman temple, features a standout choir and clone of Michaelangelo's Last Judgement.
Not too far away rises San Fortunato, named after Todi's first bishop with many fine artworks, the highlight being a Madonna and Child by Masolino while the crypt contains the tomb of Jacapone de Todi (1228-1306), a noted mediaeval poet and mystic.
One of Italy's finest Renaissance churches, Santa Maria della Consolazione, lies near the N79, probably built to a plan by Bramante.
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
by hopang
Palazzo Vecchio is also known as Palazzo della Signoria. It literally means old palace in Italian. It was initially known as Palazzo dei Priori in the late 13th century as it was once the seat of Signoria. This Romanesque style palace is one of the most beautiful city halls in Italy. The palace was initially designed and constructed by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1299 and 1304. It was expanded several centuries later.
Various famous statues stand in front of Palazzo Vecchio including the well-known statue of David by Michelangelo which is a duplicate that replaced the original in 1873. The facade of the palace resembles a fortress with a tower on top known as the Arnolfo Tower. The palace later became the home of the Medici family. A medallion can be seen above the door on the facade.
When Florence became the capital of Italy between 1865 and 1874, the palace was used by the Chamber of Deputies and the Foreign Ministry. Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence. It is considered a "must-see" attraction in Florence!
Perugia
by Willettsworld
Perugia is an ancient Etruscan settlement (6th - 1st century BC) that surrendered under the Emperor Octavian in 40 BC. At the end of Roman domination, it suffered barbarian invasion, whose massacres and looting exhausted the population. Never resigned to occupation, after many bitter struggles, in the 12th century it became a free Commune under popular rule. During the 13th and 14th centuries it asserted itself as a much feared and mighty power, subduing nearby towns and villages and forming alliances with the church and neighbouring states. In the age of the Seignories the city was ravaged by particularly bloody cival strife which weakened the local governement until, after a heroically-resisted siege, it came under the sway of the Papal State in 1540, whose domination was to last more than three centuries. On September 14th 1860, the city and the whole of Umbria became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Perugia's old centre hinges around the pedestrianised Corso Vannucci (you don't find many pedestrianised streets in Italy), named after the local painter Pietro Vannucci. At it's northern end is Piazza IV Novembre, one of the best medieval squares in Italy, dominated by the Fontana Maggiore, a 13th century fountain designed by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. Behind it lies the 15th century Duomo. The other main building on the square is the city hall, Palazzo dei Priori, which contains the Collegio del Cambio, Perugia's former money exchange where it's walls are covered with superlative frescoes (1498-1500) by Perugino.
Photos
Palazzo dei Priori
Palazzo dei Priori
Palazzo dei Priori on Piazza IV Novembre
