Perugia and Umbria Jazz
Perugia and Umbria Jazz: perfect combination of history, music, tourism and gastronomy
Located in the green heart of Italy, in Umbria, Perugia is a beautiful medieval fortified. Surrounded by hills which give spectacular views, Perugia stands on a promontory, near the Tiber River close to Lake Trasimeno.
Walking through the narrow, winding streets of the historic center, visitors can step back in time to discover their artistic and breathe international climate, as the city is home to two prestigious universities. Università degli studi, founded in 1308, and the Università per stranieri (University for Foreigners) host thousands of students each year throughout Italy and around the world who come to this town to pursue their studies or take a course Italian.
A little history
The origins of Perugia belong to the Etruscan period, when the city was an important administrative district, as witnessed by some of its monuments: the Etruscan Arch, the Gateway Marcia and Etruscan Well. Later it was conquered by the Romans who gave him the name “Augusta Perugia.”
La Rocca Paolina, a symbol of papal power, and the Roman aqueduct in Via Appia (City of Perugia)
With the fall of the Roman Empire, Perugia (Perugia in Latin) suffered numerous invasions to become the eleventh century in independent city-state. On was the scene of civil strife between families Perugian important. The fighting ended with the conquest of power by the Baglioni family who dominated until 1531. That same year saw the “Salt War” between the Papal State and the common people who opposed the increase in the price of this product. Pope Paul III Farnese won the war, occupied the city and built the fortress of Rocca Paolina. His power continued until 1860, when Perugia was absorbed by the Kingdom of Italy.
The historic city center: place Nov. 4
November 4 The square is the heart of the city and the artistic and cultural center. Visitors will be amazed by the beauty and elegance of the monuments found here: Higher Source in the middle, the front side of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Palazzo dei Priori.
View of the Plaza on November 4 with the steps of the cathedral, the largest source and the Palazzo dei Priori (© City of Perugia)
It also represents the meeting point for students from around the world filled the steps of the plaza to chat, have a drink or enjoy the sun during the spring. The atmosphere is so delicious it’s worth a spin.
Higher Source, located in the middle of the square belongs to the second half of the thirteenth century. It is a sublime work by the architect Fra ‘Bevignate and decorated with elegance and solemnity by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. It consists of two superimposed containers of polygonal shape carved with small statues representing biblical characters and mythological animals, among others.
Left, the largest source, one of the most important monuments of the city. Right, Corso Vannucci (© City of Perugia)
The Palazzo dei Priori, today the town hall and a symbol of communal spirit of the city, was built during the first half of the fourteenth century and is made of travertine, the material that built many monuments of ancient Rome, and stone white and red. Accessed via a staircase with a fan and an arched portal. On either side are statues of the tap (a fabulous animal half lion half eagle) and the lion, symbol of the city.
Once through the portal leads to the Sala dei Notari, once called Hall of the People, completely decorated with frescoes. Moreover, the Palace is adorned with Gothic windows and battlements that give it some elegance. It extends from the square to Corso Vannucci from which you access the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, which houses works by Arnolfo di Cambio, Piero della Francesca, Perugino and Pinturicchio and others.
Corso Vannucci is the main street of the capital of Umbria. Named after the famous painter Pietro Vannucci, better known as The Perugino by being born in this city and made his major works. Walking along Corso shops you can find the most prestigious Italian restaurants and bakeries where you can sample local culinary specialties and chocolate of Perugia, famous above all for the kisses (baci) from La Perugina. In spring and throughout the summer, the street is full of terraces and tourists who sit outdoors to enjoy and taste a real Italian coffee.
Corso Vannucci summer (© City of Perugia)
Culture and music in Perugia: Umbria Jazz
Each year during the month of July for ten days, the streets of Perugia are flooded with people and music. Famous artists, musicians, jazz lovers and lovers of the city come from all over the world to attend one of the festivals devoted to this genre’s most internationally renowned, the Umbria Jazz.
November 4 Square plays host to some of the concerts of Umbria Jazz (© Umbria Jazz)
This event was founded in 1973 as a traveling festival and free every night completely conquered a public audience in a different place umbra. Over time and after several interruptions has become one of the most important jazz festivals in the world, celebrated and takes place exclusively in the historical center of the capital.
Outdoor concert in Santa Giuliana (© Umbria Jazz)
From morning till night, visitors will find the downtown artists who may improvise an exhibition in one of the tiny, as photographed streets or squares of old town, or you can enjoy a glass of wine or a typical regional dish one of the most popular restaurants in the center provided to the rhythm of jazz. You can also attend free concerts taking place in the square on November 4 and Carducci Gardens, during the day and night.
The Morlacchi Theatre is another place where we celebrate the Umbria Jazz (© Umbria Jazz)
One of the most prestigious Umbria Jazz is the eighteenth Morlacchi Theatre, Landmark music for exhibitions of Italian and international copyright, he has seen in recent issues involving names like Enrico Rava, Stefano Bollani, Tore Brunborg, Jormin Anders, Manu Katché, Giovanni Allevi, among others. The theater is shaped like a horseshoe and a capacity of nearly 800 people.
Arena Santa Giuliana is one scenario where he holds the Umbria Jazz (© Umbria Jazz)
Arena Santa Giuliana is an outdoor venue where the band is more important during the warm nights of the festival Perugian. Many internationally renowned artists as James Brown, Elton John, Sting, Simply Red, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton Manhattan Transfer and others have gone through this place. Located in the heart of Perugia, at the foot of the ancient monastery of Santa Giuliana and has a small sports stadium well suited for this type of show.
View of the city of Perugia (© Ika, City of Perugia)
History, art, culture and music come together in Perugia, a city not known by the Spanish but has much to offer, from exquisite cuisine masterfully prepared by local culinary traditions and national to an agenda of world-renowned cultural events passing course, for its incredible architectural legacy.
Practical Guide
Getting there
Perugia has Sant’Egidio International Airport. From Girona flights leave twice a week with low-cost carrier Ryanair. Sant’Egidio is well connected by city bus service.
Where to stay?
Etruscan Chocohotel is the first hotel in the world dedicated to chocolate. Its rooms are distributed on three levels and each is dedicated to one type of chocolate: milk, chocolate with walnuts and black.
Etruscan Chocohotel
Via Campo di Marte 134
Tel 00 39 075 5837 314
etruscan@chocohotel.it
www.chocohotel.it
Another option is the Hotel Giò Wine Area e Jazz has 76 rooms dedicated to jazz and 130 dedicated to wine.
Hotel Giò Wine e Jazz Area
Via Ruggero D’Andreotto, 19
Tel: 00 39 075 5731 100
reception@hotelgio.it
www.hotelgio.it
Where and what to eat?
The restaurant Settimo Sigillo EI is in the historic district of the city. It is distinguished by the originality of its decoration, as its setting is a medieval, and delicious dishes of the region. A specialty is the famous Torta al testo, a typical salt cake culinary tradition Perugian made with flour, water, olive oil, salt and yeast. Cooked in a pan of firestone named test can be stuffed with ham, mozzarella, arugula, salami and other cooked products such as traditional Umbrian truffles, among others. It is also very typical bread without salt, which brings us back to the Salt War, when bakers to protest the rising price of this product began to produce bread without salt, you can taste the olive oil produced in this region, the nose, traditional Umbrian sausages served with a glass of red wine Montefalco.
Settimo Sigillo
Via Ulisse Rocchi 1, Perugia
ilsettimosigillo@tin.it
Tel: 0039 075.5724.306
www.ilsettimosigillo.it