Umbria and Perugia

Umbria is a region in central Italy.

Umbria is the only region in Italy having neither a coastline or a border with another country.

• It has a population of 885,500

• This region is quite hilly and has two valley, the Umbrian Valley and the Tiber Valley.

• The region is crossed by the river Tiber.

• It is a region with many rural landscapes and for this it is sometimes called ‘il cuore verde d’Italia’.

The capital of this region is Perugia.

• Perugia has a population of 162.500

• It is situated on top of a hill.

• The symbol of the city is the Griffin.

• It is famous for a high number of universities.

There are a number of attractions in Perugia.

National Gallery of Umbria

Cathedral of Perugia

Collegio del Cambio

San Domenico Topino

Pietro Vannucci is from Perugia.

• This artist is commonly known as Perugino.

• He decorated the Sala del Cambio with a number of frescoes.

• Many of his paintings can be found in the National Gallery of Umbria.

• He was also the teacher of Raphael, one of the most famous renaissance painters.

Another important city in Umbria is Assisi.

• Assisi is an important religious centre, as well as being a beautiful city.

• It is the birthplace of both St. Francis and St. Clare.

St. Francis of Assisi

• St. Francis was born in 1181/82

• He is known for living a life of poverty, restoring several churches and starting the Franciscan orders.

• He is also believed to be the first person to have received the stigmata of Christ.

St. Clare

• Born July 1194

• St. Clare was one of the first followers of St. Francis.

• She was a nun.

• She started the Order of Poor Ladies, which was renamed the Order of Saint Clare after her death.

Perugia is also famous for chocolate.

• The company Perugina is based in Perugia.

• This company is most famous for their chocolate kisses.

• These are little chocolates filled with a hazelnut and wrapped in a love note.

In addition to this Perugia hosts a festival of chocolate every year, Eurochocolate.• The festival has taken place every year since 1993.

• It is held in October and last for nine days.

• It is one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe.

• In 2003, the largest chocolate bar in the world was constructed!

The Umbria Jazz festival is also held in Perugia.• It has been held annually since 1973.

• It is the most important Jazz festival in Europe.

• A number of famous artists have performed at this festival, including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Alicia Keys and Prince.

International Journalism Festival

• This festival was founded in 2006.

• It usually takes place in April.

• This festival attracts a wide range of journalists and journalism students.