The Etruscan Perugia

Perugia is the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy. The history of Perugia goes back to the Etruscan period. The city is also known as the universities town, with the University of Perugia founded in 1308. Perugia is a well-known cultural and artistic center of Italy. The famous painter Pietro Vannucci, nicknamed Perugino, was a native of Città della Pieve near Perugia. He decorated the local Sala del Cambio with a beautiful series of frescos; eight of his pictures can also be admired in the National Gallery of Umbria. Perugino was also the teacher of Raphael, the great Renaissance artist.