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Panorama Perugia, Italy by Attilio Funel, April 2 2006 photo by BetacommandBot –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Perugia, Italy

Perugia is a small jewel that quickly wins over visitors. Between narrow alleys and fortified walls, the old town holds artistic and monumental treasures of great charm which can transport those who visit them back in time, in a suspended and almost magical atmosphere.

The historic Perugia is a true 14th-century village, one of the most beautiful and beloved in Italy. Buzzing by day but also lively and cheerful by night, Perugia deserves much more than a brief visit to explore its most important monuments. 

Perugia is located about 102 miles north of Rome and 92 miles Southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Perugia, Italy

1. The historic city was founded by the Umbrians

Founded by the Umbrians It became one of the 12 strongholds of the Etruscan confederation and belonged to Rome from 310 BC. It was one of the main Etruscan cities. It was an Umbrian settlement but first appears in written history as Perusia.

It was first mentioned in Q. Fabius Pictor’s account, used by Livy, of the expedition carried out against the Etruscans by Fabius Maximus Rullianus in 310 or 309 BC.

2. Perugia is the capital city of Umbria 

Perugia is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy and of the province of Perugia. With a pristine medieval centre and an international student population, Perugia is Umbria’s largest and most cosmopolitan city.

Its historic centre seemingly little changed in more than 400 years, rises in a helter-skelter of cobbled alleys, arched stairways and piazzas framed by solemn churches and magnificent reminders of its lively and often bloody past are everywhere, from ancient arches and medieval basilicas to Renaissance frescoes by the likes of Raphael and Perugino.

3. It became a Lombard duchy in AD 592 

In AD 592 it became a Lombard Duchy. Subsequently, it was embroiled in many petty conflicts with neighbouring towns in which it usually took the Guelf or Pro-Papal side.

The Condottiere Braccio Fortebraccio captured it in 1416 and later the rival Oddi and Baglioni families fought there for power before the town became a Papal Possession in 1540.

4. Perugia became part of the kingdom of Italy in 1860

map of the Kingdom of Italy (Regno d’Italia) in 1870 with provinces. photo by Gigillo83 –

Perugia played an active part in the Italian Risorgimento in 1859. In September 1860, the city was united finally, along with the rest of Umbria, as part of the Kingdom of Italy. 

5. The city was the artistic centre of Umbria

Pietro Perugino 031 photo by The Yorck Project –

Perugia was the centre of the great Umbrian school of painting, which reached its height in the 15th century. Perugia has a rich tradition of art and artists. The high renaissance painter Pietro Perugino created some of his masterpieces in the Perugia area.

The other high Renaissance master Raphael was also active in Perugia and painted his famous ‘Oddi Altar’ there in 1502 -04. Among the ‘mechanical arts and the ‘liberals’ is reliefs Griffin.

6. Perugia boasts a generous archaeological Patrimony

Etruscan script, excavations- archaeology in Italy photo sourced from

All the region of Umbria has a generous archaeological patrimony that is distributed over much of its territory. Many traces remain of the Etruscan civilization but also of the Roman themselves.

It boasts three national archaeological museums and important archaeological areas, as well as archaeological finds of absolute scientific and artistic importance.

7. The city  is widely known as the city of Chocolate

Image by Alexander Stein from

Perugia has become famous for chocolate, mostly because of a single firm, Perugina, whose Baci (‘Kisses’ in English) are widely exported. Perugian chocolate is popular in Italy. The company’s plant located in San Sisto (Perugia) is the largest of Nestlé’s nine sites in Italy.

According to Nestlé’s USA official website, today Baci is the most famous chocolate brand in Italy. 

8. Perugia city hosts multiple festivals and events

University of North Texas College of Music One O’Clock Lab Band performance a the Umbria Jazz Festival, July 19, 2008 photo by Michael Clements – Wikimedia commons

Perugia is a well-known cultural centre in Italy. The city hosts multiple annual festivals and events throughout the year. Examples of some famous events and festivals include; The Euro Chocolate Festival in October, The Umbria Jazz Festival in July and the International Journalism Festival in April.

The city is also associated with multiple notable people in the world of arts. The Umbria festival is one of the most important Jazz events in the entire world and has been held annually since 1973 usually in July in Perugia.

9. It is home to one of Italy’s Oldest Universities

Perugia, The University for foreigners. Picture by Giovanni Dall’Orto, August 7 2006 – Wikimedia commons

Perugia today hosts two main universities; the ancient and the largest international University of Perugia and the University for foreigners Perugia. 

10. Perugia’s symbol is the gryphon 

Statue of a griffin (griffon, or gryphon) on the roof of Zappeion Megaron. photo by George E. Koronaios –

Perugia’s symbol is the gryphon which can be seen in the form of Plaques and statues on most of the buildings around the city. 

Perugia is one of the most exciting and underappreciated cities in Italy, despite being close to the epicentre of last year’s earthquakes (Perugia did not sustain any major damage).

One of the oldest universities in Italy and the University of Perugia, founded in the early 14th century, is much to thank for this. New pubs, cafés, and boutiques are thriving in Perugia, an Umbrian city that does a fantastic job of presenting its old foundations in the historic centre, despite Perugia still being in the shadow of several cities in the adjacent Tuscany.

These foundations house treasures from the Etruscan, medieval, Gothic, and 18th centuries along broad, sunny avenues that connect to charming, off-the-beaten-path districts. During occasions like Umbria Jazz and the yearly chocolate festival, Perugia may become crowded, although, for the most part, remains touristy and authentic.