PARK SCENES
Situated high up on the ramparts, Perugia has a small park with a view out over the buildings below and over the valley to the mountains.
TOWN HALL
In the historic center is an attractive town hall and museum with on one side sculptures of a griffin and a lion, both symbols of Perugia. Inside the hall is another pair of these animals, at least one dating to the 13th century.
PIAZZA AT DUOMO
In front of the duomo is a very famous fountain. This fountain was at one time key to the town’s water supply. It also has scenes around its base for each month. One shows the harvesting of figs, an important crop and food source.
UNDERGROUND PERUGIA
Perugia also has an elaborate underground system of tunnels and passageways. From the park level where we were, they were reached by escalator. People arriving in Perugia at the parking lot, by tour bus or car, take a different escalator down to reach this underground network.
Parts of temples discovered underground were built in the 6th century BCE; in the 16th century, homes and other structures were built on top of them when Roman noble families were battling with the pope. Walking through them today, the space is high in volume with lots of arches.
PARK WITH FOUNTAIN
Lastly, here are two images from another park set away from the ramparts area which has a small fountain and an impressive statue of Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II.
Our guide again today was the extremely well-informed and delightful Werner!
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.). Header photo is a view from Perugia’s upper level.
One has to wonder why if he’s the first king his name is II! 😀
Very good question. He was Vittorio Emanuele the Second since his uncle (or some relative) was a powerful baron in that area with the name Vittorio Emanuele also, and it was felt inappropriate for the king to claim to be the first. Hence the first king is the second!