Palazzo dei Priori – center of civic and artistic life in Perugia

History and description

Considered one of the finest Italian examples of a public palace from the High Middle Ages, the Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia was built in several phases between 1293 and 1443. This explains its irregular façades and stylistic differences, due to later expansions and the incorporation of pre‑existing buildings. The oldest part is the corner between Piazza IV Novembre and Corso Vannucci, where three mullioned windows open onto the square and ten onto the street. Particularly notable is the Gothic portal, surmounted by bronze copies of the Perugian griffin and the Guelph lion, as well as the later‑built “fan‑shaped” staircase.

Inside, several rooms stand out: the Sala dei Notari, with ribbed vaults, late‑13th‑century frescoes, wooden stalls, and Renaissance benches; the Audience Hall of the Collegio del Cambio, frescoed by Perugino between 1498 and 1500; the City Council Hall, decorated with works such as a lunette by Pinturicchio; and the Sala Rossa and Sala Gialla, frescoed respectively by Dono Doni and Matteuccio Salvucci.

Curiosities

On the exterior, the façade still displays the chains taken from the gates of Siena after the Battle of Torrita in 1358. Inside, the palace continues to house the municipal offices, as well as the prestigious National Gallery of Umbria, which preserves masterpieces of Umbrian art from the 13th to the 19th century.

Access

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, the palace can be visited with an admission fee of about €10, with free or reduced entry available in specific cases.

How to reach it

Located in the heart of Perugia’s historic center, the building is easily reachable by bus from Perugia station or on foot from anywhere in the city center.

The Palazzo dei Priori stands as a living symbol of Perugia, where medieval history coexists with art and civic institutions.

Photo credits: Robertofavini (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 3.0