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Visitors should be sure to see Piazza Matteotti as well, with its 15th-Century Palazzo dell’UniversitaVecchia, and Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Then, one of Italy’s most important, Piazza IV Novembre, is the city’s monumental social hub. On this central piazza sits Palazzo dei Priori, the symbol of governmental power; the cathedral (religious power) and; at its nucleus, the Maggiore Fountain, completed in the 1200s and fed by the aqueduct originating on Monte Pacciano.
Palazzo dei Priori is also the seat of Umbria’s National Gallery; its interior boasts valuable works of art realized by artists with strong ties to the Umbrian territory. Among the masterpieces, one should note: the Polyptych of St. Anthony by Piero della Francesca, and the Polyptych of San Domenico by Beato Angelico.
Perugia, besides its vast artistic heritage, hosts events of international renown, especially Eurochocolate (every autumn) and Umbria Jazz (mid-July). From the city’s clubs, to the theatres, streets and piazzas, the entire historic center beats and resounds during the lively days of Umbria Jazz, creating a magical and electric atmosphere that merges with the places and history of Perugia.
For ten days the city center becomes a musical village, with concerts and performances one after another, every hour of the day until late into the night.
And despite its magnificent Medieval facade, Perugia has always been a rather innovative city. After all, it was the first Italian locality to build escalators in several points throughout the city, in order to facilitate pedestrians on their way to the city center.
By Italia.it