---
title: "Perugia"
description: "Umbria\'s hilltop capital showcasing 700+ years of university heritage through University of Perugia (1308) and Italy\'s oldest University"
url: "https://viatravelers.com/destinations/perugia/"
published_at: "2025-12-23T15:53:47-06:00"
updated_at: "2026-06-15T11:22:23-06:00"
author: "Kyle Kroeger"
categories:
  - "Europe"
  - "Italy"
---

Umbria’s hilltop capital showcasing 700+ years of university heritage through University of Perugia (1308) and Italy’s oldest University for Foreigners welcoming international students to this renowned cultural center built as fortified medieval village encompassed by mighty walls. Piazza IV Novembre’s medieval society landmarks: Cathedral of St. Lawrence and Palazzo dei Priori (municipal government since 1293) housing National Gallery of Umbria, anchored by Fontana Maggiore’s 13th-century masterpiece of medieval sculpture. Etruscan heritage preserved through massive hydraulic Etruscan Well, Volumni Hypogeum’s oldest best-preserved funerary monument, and Etruscan Arch demonstrating ancient architectural founders’ immense works predating Roman civilization. Eurochocolate Festival’s mouth-watering celebration as Europe’s largest, most assorted international chocolate exhibition featuring 6,000+ different chocolates from 100+ brands annually since 1994 at Umbriafiere venue. Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria’s world-class collection spanning 800 years of artistic excellence through Renaissance paintings, Gothic installations, medieval religious art rated as the province’s top gallery. Umbria Jazz festival filling summer weeks with concerts, while Tiber valley positioning provides stunning countryside views across Italy’s “Green Heart” where medieval fortification meets contemporary academic excellence beneath Etruscan archaeological treasures.