Perugia's history is impressive for the endless interweaving of events that have marked it. It is the city everyone tried to conquer, passing throughout the centuries from one domination to the other and becoming richer with different cultural influences. The foundation dates back to the Sarsinati, but we can only start speaking of a true city from the beginning of the Etruscan empire, in the 4th century BC. After just two centuries the city is under the dominion of the Roman empire, becoming "Augusta Perusia", and then by the Goths, the Byzantine, the Longobards and the Greek. For many years, the Papal state had power of the city, conquering it after the so-called "guerra del sale" or salt war. Papal power lasted without challenge until 1860, when Perugia became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Perugia immediately appears as a noble city, where every corner tells a part of its long history. Its origins are evidenced by monuments such as the Etruscan Arch, Porta Marzia and the Etruscan Well. The urban layout we still see today started to take shape in the 11th century when the city was already a rich municipality filled with splendid palaces and sculptural works of great value. Do not miss Palazzo dei Priori, one of the most noble monuments of medieval civil architecture, the current Town Hall, the Fontana Maggiore, with sculptures by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.
The city offers events of great interest in every period of the year. Nightlife is concentrated especially in the centre. Every evening there are celebrations organised for the students: the Thursday appointment is on one of the most exclusive dance clubs in central Italy, Etoile 54. Domus delirii, the soul of Perugia students nightlife, is also very popular. In the historical centre of the city, it is the venue where all Italian and foreign university students gather every night for a different party.
The Laboratorio Teatrale Interculturale offers a very interesting initiative: "Human Beings". It is a workshop where people from all over the world meet to share opinions and mutually improve their knowledge of theatre practice. The initiative is open to all and is free. Every year the Teatro Amatoriale Dialettale offers a festival within the context of regional tradition and the linguistic re-discovery of dialect. For art lovers, in the basement of Palazzo della Penna you can visit the Valentino Martinelli collection, a permanent exhibition with a core of works of art, mostly from the Baroque age, collected throughout the years by the Roman scholar.