Basilica di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica and Abbey), Perugia (must see)
The basilica di San Pietro in Perugia is a part of the eponymous Catholic abbey, established in 996 by abbot Pietro Vincioli, later canonized as Saint Peter. The basilica stands on the foundations of a previous cathedral that was reportedly built as early as the 4th century AD for the first bishopric of Perugia. The land beneath it had been sacred to the pagan Etruscans and Romans for many centuries prior to that.
The Abbey coexisted peacefully with the people of Perugia until 1398 when the locals burned it down after the abbot, Francesco Guidalotti, had arranged the killing of a leader of the Raspanti Party. Most of the Perugians held membership in this party and so, quite naturally, they got furious. Following the death of the last monk of San Pietro, in 1899, the property of the Abbey was taken over by the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the University of Perugia.
Inside the main court is a 13th-century polygonal clock tower. Romanesque blind arches on the fa莽ade of the basilica are a product of later restoration. The interior, akin to an early Christian temple, features the Gothic choir, made of wood, dating back to the 16th century, and the triple-arched portal, designed by Galeazzo Alessi in 1571.
The sacristy, added in 1451, carries a great deal of frescoes and paintings by the likes of Perugino, Parmigianino and Raphael. Among the ones by Perugino there are five smaller paintings depicting Santa Scholastica, Santa Ercolano, Santa Constantino, Santa Pietro Abbate, Santa Mauro and Santa Placido. In the right aisle, above the door leading to Saint Joseph's Chapel, there are three more 17th-century copies from Perugino made by Giovanni Battista Salvi, aka Sassoferrato. Also, in the left aisle, at the Sacramento Chapel, you can find the Piet脿, the late work by Perugino, where the painter portrays himself in the face of Giuseppe di Arimatea.
The Abbey coexisted peacefully with the people of Perugia until 1398 when the locals burned it down after the abbot, Francesco Guidalotti, had arranged the killing of a leader of the Raspanti Party. Most of the Perugians held membership in this party and so, quite naturally, they got furious. Following the death of the last monk of San Pietro, in 1899, the property of the Abbey was taken over by the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the University of Perugia.
Inside the main court is a 13th-century polygonal clock tower. Romanesque blind arches on the fa莽ade of the basilica are a product of later restoration. The interior, akin to an early Christian temple, features the Gothic choir, made of wood, dating back to the 16th century, and the triple-arched portal, designed by Galeazzo Alessi in 1571.
The sacristy, added in 1451, carries a great deal of frescoes and paintings by the likes of Perugino, Parmigianino and Raphael. Among the ones by Perugino there are five smaller paintings depicting Santa Scholastica, Santa Ercolano, Santa Constantino, Santa Pietro Abbate, Santa Mauro and Santa Placido. In the right aisle, above the door leading to Saint Joseph's Chapel, there are three more 17th-century copies from Perugino made by Giovanni Battista Salvi, aka Sassoferrato. Also, in the left aisle, at the Sacramento Chapel, you can find the Piet脿, the late work by Perugino, where the painter portrays himself in the face of Giuseppe di Arimatea.
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Basilica di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica and Abbey) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica and Abbey)
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Perugia, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Perugia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Perugia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Perugia Introduction Walking Tour
Perugia was one of the twelve foremost cities of the Etruscan Federation. It was mentioned by Quintus Fabius Pictor, a Roman historian. He tells of a military expedition of Fabius Maximus Rullianus against the Etruscan League and Perugia in 309 BC.
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Perugino and Renaissance Art Walk
Perugia today is a well-known cultural and artistic center in Italy that regularly plays host to a multitude of annual festivals and events. The most glorious period in the history of the city, from an artistic standpoint, lasted from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles