2-hours Tour of Perugia with Rocca Paolina and Cathedral

The Rocca Paolina, or Paolina Fortress, is right in the historical centre of Perugia and one can enter via a door at Porta Marzia or the escalator system that connects Piazza Italia with Piazza Partigiani.

Porta Marzia is one of the most important surviving gates of the ancient Etruscan city walls of Perugia. Originally built in the 3rd century BC and later incorporated into medieval fortifications, it is a striking example of layered history, where Roman and Renaissance elements blend with the older Etruscan structure. The gate is notable for its monumental stone arch and decorative Renaissance façade added when it was relocated and rebuilt in the 16th century under Pope Paul III. Today, it stands as a symbolic entrance to the historic center and offers a vivid glimpse into Perugia’s ancient origins and long urban evolution.

Piazza Italia is one of the main modern squares in Perugia and acts as a key connection point between the historic center and the newer parts of the city. Built during the 19th century as part of urban redevelopment, it reflects a more contemporary phase of Perugia’s growth compared to the medieval core nearby. The square is surrounded by important institutional buildings, offices, and commercial spaces, making it a lively area throughout the day. It is also an important transit hub, linking escalators and pedestrian routes that connect to the upper historic center. From here, visitors can easily access nearby landmarks such as the Rocca Paolina and walk toward Corso Vannucci, the city’s main street.

The Cathedral of St. Lawrence is located in the historical centre of Perugia on Piazza IV Novembre, its southern façade facing the square.

Palazzo dei Priori is one of the most significant civic buildings in Perugia and a key symbol of the city’s medieval political life. Inside, two spaces stand out in particular: the atrium and the Sala dei Notari. The atrium of Palazzo dei Priori serves as a monumental entrance space, marking the transition from the exterior city into the heart of the ancient communal power center. Its architectural severity and scale reflect the authority of the institutions that once operated here. The Sala dei Notari, dating back to the late 13th century, is one of the oldest and most impressive rooms in the palace. Covered with large Gothic vaults, it is entirely decorated with medieval fresco cycles depicting biblical stories, allegories, and moral themes. Originally used for public assemblies and meetings of the notaries’ guild, it still conveys the strong civic identity and political importance of medieval Perugia.

The upper marble basin has twelve sides divided into twenty-four smooth panels of pink Assisi stone. Each one is separated by an equal number of white Carrara marble statuettes set on ledges between the panels. Some of the figures represent personages from the history of the city and legends, while others are symbolic.