Perugia - Day 1

Lucky for me my room is ready even though I'm here around 1030. It gives me a chance to organise myself and contact Paalo who's been getting some rather confusingly late delivered txt messages. After that I'm ready to explore.

I will leave the details of Eurochocolate to its own post and just focus on the other aspects of my time here.



This must be one of the nicest Post Office buildings I've seen.





In this building you'll find a few things - to the left is the tourist office and to the right, a walkway that will lead you to the elevators that will take you to the lower levels of Perugia and the Market.

If you go straight, you find an excellent vantage point to admire the views


It's amazing when you see just how high up you are!



In the covered area there are few stalls selling things like leather bags and shoes.









I will return later in the day.



On Corso Vannucci, inside the Palazzo dei Priori you can find the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria (National Gallery of Umbria).



The Palazzo was initially built between 1293-97 with extensions in 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Parts were destroyed in the 1600's and rebuilt in 19th century during Italy's unification.





Over the main entrance are statues of the patron Saints of Perugia, St Laurentius, St Ludevic of Toulouse and St Herculanus.



Above the gothic arch are the symbols of Perugia, the Lion and the Griffin, though these are copies and the originals housed inside the Gallery.



Opposite the Palazzo on Piazza IV Novembre is the Duomo, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.



Although begun in the 1300's building lasted until 1587 where it remained in this unfinished state.



The pink and white marble slabs on the lower sections of the church were taken from the cathedral in Arezzo back in 1335.



Placed between the Duomo and Palazzo is the Fontana Maggiore - built between 1275 and 1278.










One of the many lanes you'll find that entice you to wander down and see just what lies beyond the corner.




Lunch was at a little place near the hotel called Ristorante Altromondo






Carpaccio of Swordfish with smoked Scamorza


served with balsamic vinegar and oil


Roasted veal fillet with rosemary potatoes

After lunch and a little more exploration of Eurochocolate I came upon another viewpoint



This one is located on Via Indipendenza















Located nearby was the Piazza Italia, also under seige by Eurochocolate.







As mentioned, I did return later in the day to both scenic points to capture the changing light







That town in the distance is Assisi.

























Time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner






Dinner was had here, Il Ghiottone Osteria








Starter: Crostini and Proscuitto
Main: Osso Buco and Potatoes with Rosemary (not shown)