Perugia has a vast historical, artistic and cultural patrimony with Etruscan, Roman, medieval, Renaissance and modern treasures conserved in its museums. It is also the seat of important universities such as the Italian one and the University for Foreigners which help to make it a cosmopolitan city, particularly so during Umbria Jazz.

The Rocca Paolina (1542) offers a unique and fascinating spectacle; escalators bring people up to the historical city centre through the large rooms which are also used throughout the year for important cultural events. The city centre abounds with historical buildings of which the most important is undoubtedly the Palazzo dei Priori (dating from the 14th century) , a magnificent example of gothic architecture, that houses the Sala dei Notari (Hall of Notaries) and the National Gallery of Umbria, containing the largest collection of works of artists such as Perugino, Pinturicchio, Angelico, Benozzo Gozzoli. Piero della Francesca and many others. Not far from the Palazzo dei Priori is the Collegio del Cambio, a Renaissance masterpiece decorated entirely by frescoes of Perugino. In Piazza IV Novembre can be seen the Fontana Maggiore, one of the biggest in the world, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo (16th century), housing numerous works of art.

The Etruscan Arch (or Arch of Augustus dating from the 3rd - 2nd century BC) was the main gate in the Etruscan city walls. Nearby is the Palazzo Gallenga Stuart, or Palazzo Antinori, seat, since 1926, of the famous University for Foreigners.

No less fascinating, with their narrow alleyways and noble palaces, are the little towns and villages that abound in the Perugia district. Corciano offers its visitors a remarkable architectural, historical and artistic patrimony and interesting cultural events all year round in a suggestive context that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.

Deruta is famous worldwide for its traditional ceramics of which examples can be admired in the ceramics museum. Finally, Torgiano is well known for the high quality of its wines, celebrated in the Wine Museum, created by the Lungarotti family, owners of the wine cellars of the same name.

Artistic crafts such as woodwork, goldsmith’s art , embroidery, fabric manufacture, artistic glasswork and masks are flourishing. Without forgetting, as we have mentioned above, the importance of Deruta in the field of majolica.

The cuisine is very rich and is based on the cultivation of olives and grapes, accompanied by dishes based on typical traditional products and on tasty yet imaginative cooking.