Enchanting Festivals in Perugia Italy

Image via WikipediaEurochocolate 2008 (Photo credit: Gilmoth)

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Perugia is the capital city of the rustic central Italian region of Umbria. Umbria is bordered by Tuscany to the west, the Marche to the east and Lazio to the south.

The topography of Umbria is dominated by the Apennines, with the highest point in the region at Monte Vettore on the border of the Marche. It is the only Italian region that doesn’t have access to a coastline or a common border with other countries.

Perugia is one of Italy’s best preserved medieval hill towns. In Centro Storico many of Perugia’s medieval streets are covered with arched brick bridges.

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The famous Renaissance artist, Pietro Perugino worked in Perugia. His frescoes cover the Sala delle Udienze in the Collegio del Cambio. The Collegio del Cambio is in Palazzo dei Priori in the city of Perugia. It was built between 1452 and 1457. the High Renaissance. Raphael was Perugino’s most famous pupil. You can also visit the Umbria National Gallery with paintings from the 13th-18th centuries.

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Perugia is famous for chocolate. I love Perugina‘s hazelnut “Baci” (kisses). Nestle acquired Perugina in 1988.

Perugia by Night (Photo credit: Niccolò Caranti)

One of my favorite annual festivals is the Eurochocolate Festival in October.

The Eurochocolate Festival is one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe. There are chocolate art displays, chocolate tastings and grandiose chocolate sculptures. The Festival lasts for about nine days. Activities are dispersed throughout the area around Piazza Italia and Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza IV Novembre.

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The Umbria Jazz Festival is one of the most important jazz festivals in the world. It has been held annually since 1973, usually in the month of July in Perugia. There is also an Umbria Winter Jazz Winter that is held in Orvieto.

tower of Pretola, Perugia, Umbria, Italy

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Sagra Musicale Umbra is one of the major musical events in the region. It has been held since 1937 and welcomes orchestra conductors from around the world. In September, Perugia’s Classico Rocca Paolina sets the stage for an exhibition of acoustic musical instuments.

There is also an International Wine Tourism Conference in Perugia. The 4th Annual International Conference & Workshop 2012 was held in the city of Perugia in Piazza Italia.

Perugia is a great Vino con Vista and Slow Food destination. Umbria has two red wines with the DOCG Italian wine classifications: Sagrantino di Montefalco and Torgiano Rosso. These hearty red wines are grown in the hills south of Perugia

Some day, I hope to attend the International Journalism Festival which takes place in April. This attracts journalists, journalism students and Media agencies.