National Gallery of Umbria, Perugia

National Gallery of Umbria, Perugia (must see)

The National Gallery of Umbria is one of Italy鈥檚 premier art collections, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, with a strong focus on the Umbrian School of Painting. It is housed on the upper floors of the Priori Palace (Palazzo dei Priori), a striking example of Gothic civil architecture that has served as Perugia鈥檚 municipal seat since medieval times. The museum spans 4,000 square meters across two floors, with 40 exhibition rooms dedicated to the permanent collection and additional space for rotating temporary exhibitions.

The origins of the collection date back to the mid-16th century, with the foundation of the Perugian Academy of Drawing (Accademia del Disegno), initially housed at the Olivetan Convent in Montemorcino. Over the centuries, political upheavals, including the Napoleonic suppression of religious houses and the later unification of Italy, brought many artworks into state ownership. By 1863, the collection was formally named after Pietro Vannucci, better known as Perugino, but only found a permanent home in the Palazzo dei Priori in 1878. Renamed the National Gallery of Umbria in 1918, it underwent its most recent renovation in 2006, creating a modern visitor experience.

The gallery鈥檚 collection is arranged chronologically and highlights key figures of Italian art. Particular emphasis is placed on Umbrian masters such as Benedetto Bonfigli, Fiorenzo di Lorenzo, Perugino, Pintoricchio, and their followers, providing a deep dive into the regional artistic heritage.

The National Gallery of Umbria remains a cultural treasure, blending Perugia鈥檚 historical legacy with its extraordinary artistic heritage, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Perugia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: National Gallery of Umbria
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
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.

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 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

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