Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria, sits atop a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. Its historic centre, of Etruscan origin, retains remains such as the Pozzo Etrusco (Etruscan Well) and the Arco Etrusco, evidence of its ancient past. Piazza IV Novembre, the heart of the city, brings together the Fontana Maggiore, the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and the Palazzo dei Priori, home to the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. Corso Vannucci, the main pedestrian street, links the principal landmarks and is lined with shops and cafés. The Rocca Paolina, a 16th-century underground fortress now converted into a network of streets and escalators, allows visitors to cross the city below ground level. Perugia is also known for its chocolate-making tradition, embodied by the Perugina brand, and hosts the Eurochocolate festival every October as well as Umbria Jazz in July. The presence of the Università per Stranieri gives the city a youthful, international atmosphere. Perugia also serves as a convenient base for visiting nearby Assisi or Lake Trasimeno.