Perugia is the capital of both the province of the same name and the region of Umbria. The historical centre of the city is situated on a hill that is almost 500 meters high at the top (the Porta Sole). It is a young, vibrant city, mainly due to the two universities, the smaller one, the Università per Stranieri, aiming to teach foreign students the Italian language and culture.
Town hall: Palazzo dei Priori – Corso Vannucci, 19 – Perugia. Province: Perugia. Region: Umbria. Prefix: 075. Postal code: From 06121 to 06135. The city has about 170 thousand inhabitants, of which almost a quarter study at one of the two universities. There are two tourist offices in Perugia. The first one is called IAT Loggia dei Lanari and is located in Piazza Matteotti, 18. The second one is in the Metropolis shopping centre, Stazione Minimetrò Piazzale Umbria Jazz, Pian di Massiano – Perugia (by car take the exit Raccordo autostradale Madonna Alta).
Public transport
The nearest airport is located in the district of Sant’Egidio, and is officially called Aeroporto Internazionale dell’Umbria-Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi. There is a regular bus service to and from this airport. The code of this airport is PEG.
The city has a large number of small train stations. The most important ones are the central station Fontivegge and Sant’Anna. (Note that Sant’Anna is closed at the moment). Sant’Anna is located in the centre and provides connections to nearby small towns. Fontivegge is located outside the city and one has to take a bus or the socalled Minimetro to the center. The direct, but not very frequent, trains from Rome stop here. Flixbus has a connection from Roma Tiburtina to Piazzale Umbria Jazz in Perugia. From Pontivegge there are train connections to Assisi, Lake Trasimeno and Florence.
Piazza IV Novembre is the central square of the city. In and around the square are some of the most famous sights to see in Perugia. These include the Fontana Maggiore, the Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori.
Corso Vannucci is the main street. It connects Piazza Italia (the central bus square) and the Carducci Gardens with Piazza IV Novembre and the San Lorenzo Cathedral. The shopping street is named after the painter Perugino.
Piazza Italia, lined by impressive government buildings, is located at the other end of Corso Vannucci. It is the central bus square of the city and it is here that the buses from the central station have their terminus.
The Via Maestà delle Volte is a very picturesque alley, characterized by multiple arches and vaults (hence the volte). It runs downhill, from Piazza IV Novembre towards Piazza Cavallotti, and is flanked by several beautiful buildings. Roman ruins have been found below this picturesque piazza.
The Via Volte della Pace is a side street of the Via Bontempi. This narrow street is characterized by even more vaults.
The Via del Cane is a street on the north side of the historic center and has one of the most beautiful panoramas the city has to offer.
Festivals
The most famous festival taking place in Perugia is the Umbria Jazz Festival. It is held every year in the month of July and attracts many famous names in the field of jazz and blues.
Curiosities
Five times as many drug addicts die from an overdose in Perugia as in the rest of Italy.
One of the city’s main claims to fame is its chocolate.
Some years ago the city was in the news because of a grizly murder on an English student.
