The following tour has been designed to be done walking

Walk 3
MAESTA' DELLE VOLTE - ARCO ETRUSCO - UNIVERSITA' PER STRANIERI - S. AGOSTINO - S. ANGELO - UNIVERSITA' ITALIANA - SANTA MARIA NUOVA - SANTA MARIA Dl MONTELUCE - SAN BEVIGNATE

MAESTA DELLE VOLTE. Piazza IV Novembre leads into this medieval Street, - one of the most suggestive in Perugia. In front is the Oratory of the same name, with a facade by Bino Sozi (second half of the 16th century). Inside is a fresco of the Majesty, called infact 'of the vaults' (Maesta delle Volte), by an Umbrian artist around 1330. Today the fresco is no longer to be found on the wall. To the left of the Oratory is a round-headed Gothic arch, part of a once existing church portico. Beyond the houses are the medieval towers of via Fratti, from which the picturesque lane, via Ritorta, leads into via dei Priori. Back at the Maesta delle Volte, you pass under the arches (there are traces of the ancient passage, between the stronghold of Porta Sole, later destroyed, and the Priors' Palace, builtby Monmaggiore) which take you to Piazza Cavalotti. Here on the right are the Cathedral's Presybteries and on the corner of via Baldeschi is the Baldeschi Palace. Now go into Piazza Morlacchi with the Manzoni Palace, housing the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy, and shortly after the18th century Morlacchi Theatre by A. Lorenzini, decorated by M. Piervittori. Go down via Cesare Battisti which runs along the Etruscan wall. Below, the steps of via Appia can be seen and the narrow passage way of the Old Aqueduct lined with quaint little houses. It is the most ancient aqueduct in Perugia, built in 1277 and then restored and reinforced in the 16th century by V. Danti. Behind this is the quarter of Sant'Angelo, a commoners' district during the Middle Ages.

UNIVERSITA' PER STRANIERI. Continuing downvia Cesare Battisti you come to Piazza Fortebraccio, dominated on the left by the huge Gallenga Palace, today the University for Foreigners, once Antinori Palace, is the most eminent monument of the 18th century in Perugia.

Designed by the Roman F. Bianchi, it was accomplished by the Perugian P. Carattoli (1754). The inside decorations are also by P. Carattoli.

ARCO ETRUSCO. The Etruscan Arch, on the other hand, is one of the most outstanding achievements in architecture that have endured the centuries since the Etruscan civilization. The wide supporting arch is flanked by two large towers and covered by a barrel vault with Dorictype Etruscan decorations over the archway of alternating pilasters and shields. Higher up is a Roman arch, erected for unloading purposes. The tower on the left is crowned with a 16th century loggia. The construction date is much disputed, some believe it was built in the 3rd century BC, others the 2nd. The inscription AUGUSTA PERUSIA on the arched lintel must refer to Augustus' restitution of the city after the Bellum perusinum.

From Piazza Fortebraccio, still often called Piazza Grimana after the legate Cardinal, Marino Grimani, who hadit built in the 16th century, there are two itineraries to follow: Corso Garibaldi, which crosses the quarter of PortaSant'Angelo, or via Pintoricchio and corso Bersaglieri,which lead to the quarter of Sant'Antonio and Monteluce.

SANT'AGOSTINO. A short walk up corso Garibaldi takes you to the Piazza and Church of Sant'Agostino. The building was inspired by 13th century monastic architecture with a nave and two aisles and chapels around the apse, like San Francesco in Ascoli Piceno. After having undergone many changes the interior of the church is in late Baroque style realized by Stefano Canzacchi from Amelia. Of the various paintings kept in the church, note the frescoes by Pellino di Vannuccio in the second chapelon the left (1377), the Canvases by Arrigo van den Broek, called Arrigo Fiammingo, in the third chapel on the rightand the 14th century frescoes (by Piero di Puccio, Allegretto Nuzi and others) in the chapels around the right arm of the transept. In the first chapel on the right, by Francesco di Guido di Virio, is a painting of Our Lady of Mercy attributed to Giannicola di Paolo. In the apse large wooden choirstalls by Baccio d'Agnolo (1502-1532). Also in Piazza Sant'Agostino, to the right of the church, is the Oratory of the Confraternity of Sant'Agostino with Baroque wooden panelling and paintings by Bernardino Gagliardi, Giulio Cesare Angeli and Mattia Batini. The painting of the Virginin Glory with Saints is by Raffaellino del Colle (1563). The Convent of Sant'Agostino with its two large cloisters today houses the recruiting centre.

Continuing along corso Garibaldi, lined with typical medieval houses, you see various public buildings such as the hospitals of the confraternities - Sant' Egidio, the Merchants' hospital - and convents. On the right is the Monastery of Beata Colomba belonging to the Dominican nuns, inside an important canvas of Christ carrying the Cross attributed to Giovanni Spagna. Then after an overhead bridge you have on your left the Monastery of Sant'Agnese with frescoes by Pietro Perugino and one by Eusebio da SanGiorgio. Take the street on the right, via del Tempio, which leads to the TEMPIO Dl S. MICHELE ARCANGELO, often called St. Angelo's. This early Christian temple was probably built towards the end of the 5th century or the beginning of the 6th. The centrally planned building is made up oftwo concentric areas, an ambulacrum and a round area with an altar in the centre. A series of sixteen columns, brought here from elsewhere, divide the ambulacrum from the presytery area, typical of similar Roman structures such as Santo Stefano Rotondo. Note the two chapels (originally there were four) on the external perimeter of the temple which gave it the form of a Greek cross. It is not certain whether the original form of the beams on the ceiling is what we see today. Interesting are the Gothic supporting arches, both in the central area and the side room.

Going back to corso Garibaldi you come to the Porta Sant'Angelo, a fine example of fortification with a keep inserted in the circuit of wall (14th century). Outside the gate on your left you come to the 13th century Church of S. Matteo degli Armeni with frescoes by Umbrian masters showing Byzantine tendencies (about 1273); the other votive pictures from the 14th and 15th centuries are less important. In front of this church upon a hill is the Convento di Monteripido. This Franciscan friary was erected on the retreat place of Friar Giles, one of St. Francis' first companions. There is a beautiful fresco of late 16th century stylein the refectory and a fine 18th century library by P. Carattolil, who also designed the shelves.

UNIVERSITA' ITALIANA. Returning within the walls take the street to the right, via Zeffirino Faina. After a shortwalk you arrive at the ex Olivetan Convent, today the Italian University, by C. Murena, while the church is by L. Vanvitelli. The University of Perugia is proud of its ancient history dating back to the 13th century. However it was not officially established until 1307 by Clement V. Since then Perugia has been one of the most famous University towns in Italy. This century has seen the foundation of a University for Foreigners. (1924) which, with its students from all over the world, contributes greatly to the cultural life of thecity and the entire region. Taking via A. Fabretti you come back to Piazza Fortebraccio.

From here you can follow the second itinerary along via Pintoricchio. Beyond the Church of San Fortunato towards the end of the street, on the right you come to the CHIESA Dl S. MARIA NUOVA. This church, dedicated to Our Lady, was built in the 13th Century and has been greatly modified over the years. The interior shows late Renaissance style aisles while the apses remain Gothic. Among the many works of art note the Banner by Benedetto Bonfigli (about 1472) in the second altar on the right, the canvases by Stefano Amadei in the Cappella delI'Addolorata, the Carrying of Christ by F. Pellegrini above the sacristy door (1593).

In the apsidal chapel, frescoes attributed to Lazzaro Vascari (about 1455). In the apse fine wooden choirstalls by Paolino d'Ascoli and Giovanni di Montelparo, the oldest one in Perugia of Gothic form (1458). Leaving the churchyou enter a large 16th century cloister where there is a beautiful view of the bell tower, perhaps designed by G.Alessi.

Further on you pass through the Arco dei Tei and Porta Pesa. Then go down via Brunamonti towards the Piazza di Monteluce.

CHIESA Dl S. MARIA Dl MONTELUCE. The church has a white and pink facade typical of the Gothic style foundin Perugia. The twin portal and the rich rose-window stand out on the coloured facing. On the right is a squat bell tower. In the interior are some fine frescoes from the late Mannerist period (17th century) and above the altar a copy ofGiulio Romanos Coronation of the Virgin of Monteluce, designed by Raphael and painted by the Roman G. Silvagni.

In a room behind the church are 14th century frescoes from the Perugian school. The convent adjoining the church is today the General Hospital.

Take the road running alongside the church (via del Giochetto) which leads you to via dal Pozzo and the CHIESA Dl S. BEVIGNATE. The one nave church, built in the 13th century, is particularly interesting for its Cistercian inspired architecture. In the interior are important frescoes. The presbytery has fine pictures on the right wall with the Last Judgement thought to be painted about 1260 - it is perhaps one of the best displays of early Perugian art. Along the wall of the nave figures of the Apostlesby another author. Further along the street is the Cemetery and on taking the road to the right the Church of S. Maria in Monterone with a facade completed in 1534.

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Legend of the Pictures:

7. Gallenga Palace - the University for foreigners