The itinerary dedicated to the masterpieces of Pietro Vannucci, known as Il Perugino, goes through several towns and villages in Umbria, which safeguard the artistic heritage of the great Renaissance artist born in Città della Pieve in 1450.
CITTÀ DELLA PIEVE
The journey starts in Città della Pieve, a hilltop town south of Lake Trasimeno. If you are approaching the town from the A1 motorway, the exit is Fabro. From there, follow the signs to Città della Pieve.
- Along the main street, at via Pietro Vannucci 40, inside the Oratorio di Santa Maria dei Bianchi, your will find the Adoration of the Magi, which dates to 1504.
- Less than 10 minutes from the Oratorio di Santa Maria dei Bianchi you will reach the Cattedrale dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio, which is home to two of his works: The Baptism of Christ and The Madonna with Child and Saints Gervasio, Peter, Paul and Protasio.
- Leaving the cathedral to your left, you will find the Museo Civico Diocesano di Santa Maria dei Servi, home to The Deposition from the Cross.
FROM CITTÀ DELLA PIEVE TO PANICALE
Panicale is located about 17 km away (23 minutes by car) and there is parking just outside the town walls, near the old town centre.
- In the Chiesa di San Sebastiano you can see his fresco depicting the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, dating 1505.
FROM PANICALE TO FONTIGNANO
Some 15 km south of Panicale is Fontignano, an especially important town as it is where, in 1523, the great artist died.
- The Chiesa dell’Annunziata is home to the Madonna on Throne with Child, Saints and Angels, one of his earlier works. His tomb can also be found here.
FROM FONTIGNANO TO CORCIANO
The town of Corciano, one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, is located just 20km away.
- Inside the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is his altar piece depicting the Virgin Ascending to Heaven.
FROM CORCIANO TO PERUGIA
Some 15 km further away is Perugia, the city that gave its name to the painter and houses the largest collection of his works.
- The Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria is home to many of his paintings, including the Adoration of the Magi, the Gonfalone con la Pietà and the Madonna della Consolazione.
- At the Collegio del Cambio, in the Sala delle Udienze, you can see the artist’s self portrait.
- In Cappella di San Severo you can see the fresco Trinity and Saints, which was begun by Raphael.
FROM PERUGIA TO DERUTA
Some 20 km south of Perugia is the small town of Deruta.
- There in the Pinacoteca Comunale is the fresco Heavenly Father with saints Rocco and Romano.
FROM DERUTA TO CERQUETO
Cerqueto lies just south of Marsciano and houses one of the first known paintings done by Il Perugino.
- In the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta you can admire his fresco depicting Saint Sebastian with saints Rocco and Peter.
FROM CERQUETO TO BETTONA
The town of Bettona is some 25 km from Cerqueto.
- In the Museum of Bettona are two of his works: Saint Anthony of Padua and the Madonna of Mercy with saints Stephen and Girolamo.
FROM BETTONA TO ASSISI
Some 18 km from Bettona, Il Perugino also left his artistic mark on Assisi, one of Italy’s great spiritual centres.
- In the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, on the wall of the Porziuncola, you can see his large fresco of the Crucifixion.
FROM ASSISI TO SPELLO
Spello is a charming small town just 14 km from Assisi.
- In the Collegiata di Santa Maria Maggiore you will find Vannucci’s Pietà and his Madonna on Throne with Child and Saints.
FROM SPELLO TO TREVI
Some 20 km further along is the village of Trevi, with a population of little more than 7,000 people.
- The Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Lacrime is home to his Adoration of the Magi, Saints Peter and Paul, and the Annunciation.
FROM TREVI TO MONTEFALCO
Just 9 km further on is Montefalco, an major centre of art.
- Inside the Complesso museale di San Francesco you can admire his fresco Nativity.
FROM MONTEFALCO TO FOLIGNO
And, finally, the last leg of the itinerary: Foligno, just 12 km from Montefalco.
- Here, in the Oratorio della Nunziatella is his Baptism of Christ.
