Perugia boasts a splendid historic center, which stands on aacropolis located about 450 meters above sea level. At its highest point, namely Porta Sole, it is close to 500 meters. This is where the hub of the old city begins. Visiting Perugia is a bewitching experience. Its center revolves around Porta Sole and branches off along the ridge of the hills. From here five medieval villages take shape, extended over as many gates. This gave birth to the historic districts:
- Door Sun
- Porta Sant'Angelo
- Porta S. Susanna
- Porta Eburnea
- St. Peter's gate
Door Sun
There are five districts, or districts, that make up the historic center of Perugia, which stands on an ancient acropolis. Porta Sole has as its symbol, needless to say, a golden sun with shining rays, whose features are human. This old quarter extends to the Northeast, towards the Tiber area, where today's hamlets full of water mills overlooked. On one side it borders with Porta Sant'Angelo, in the middle of Via del Melo. A closeness strengthened by the race of the Sassajola, since the two districts constituted the "top part”, Committed against the“ lower part ”, consisting of Porta Susanna, Porta Eburnea and Porta San Pietro.
Porta Sole boasts a large number of noble palaces within its walls. One of these houses the Augusta Municipal Library. In the church of San Severo there is a fresco by Raphael but there are many riches of the place, from the Etruscan gate of Giglio to the Pozzo Sorbello or the Etruscan one. Impossible not to treat yourself to a walk on the highest point, reaching the staircase of Via delle Prome, from where you can enjoy one of the most evocative views of the place.
Porta Sant'Angelo
The name of the Porta Sant'Angelo district derives from the ancient temple of San Michele Arcangelo, to which the coat of arms is also connected. This presents the image of the archangel or just the two wings with the sword. The color is red, this comes either from Michael's flaming sword or from the fire lit with wood brought through this door, which faces north. From here came the main road.
The development of the village took place during the thirteenth century between the Etruscan Arch and the convent of Monteripido. It was later incorporated into the walls at the beginning of the fourteenth century. A place that has managed over time to protect its original characteristics.
Porta S. Susanna
The name of the Porta S. Susanna district derives from the ancient church of Santa Susanna, which later became the crypt of San Francesco al Prato. It opens in the medieval walls, precisely in the west wall. Dated between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and partially demolished during the twentieth century. It is possible to find some remains in the underpass of the escalators of Viale P. Pellini.
It is crossed by one of the oldest roads between those connecting with Lake Trasimeno and Tuscany. It is about one of the five regal streets of the Platea magna. As for the symbols, on the other hand, in addition to the Saint there are the bear and the chain. The color is instead blue, perhaps linked to the water of the lake.
Porta Eburnea
The Porta Eburnea still retains original travertine ashlars, up to the shutter, replaced during the Middle Ages by a pointed arch. This is where the alternative name of “Almond” comes from. The ancient name Eburnea, on the other hand, derives from the ivory tusks of the elephant, the symbol of the district.
Crossed by the royal road that led to Orvieto. To its left there is part of the Etruscan walls, which continue up to the steps of via del Paradiso. On the other side, however, there are the well-preserved remains right up to the Donati Tower. The coat of arms is, as mentioned, an elephant. On its back there is an ivory tower in a green field, indicating the gardens and orchards that abound in the district.
St. Peter's gate
The Porta S. Pietro district is one of the three in the "lower part". Its emblem is represented by the lion, the keys and the stone. These indicate strength, sovereignty and courage, the figure of St. Peter and the battle of Sassaiola. The color is yellow, indicating sunlight.
From this door starts and the most elegant itinerary of the city unfolds, which goes through the houses of the rich bourgeoisie, leading up to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Almost two kilometers of path through ancient architectural vestiges and decidedly more modern proposals. A sort of open-air museum not to be missed.
