Perugia - a town of past Etruscans and present-day learners

Continuing our practice of using public transport when we can, we caught the train to nearby Perugia, Umbria's most significant city. Like many Umbrian towns, Perugia is built at the top of a steep hill. Not surprisingly, the railway refused to create its station at the top; happily however there was a 'mini metro' system that carried you from the train station right up to the city centre at the top.

Perugia's excellent mini metro system speeds you up the hill!

Perugia is an ancient city - more than 3000 years old in fact; first inhabited by the Villanova peoples before the Etruscans moved in around 800BC. Today it's thronged with young people attending its popular university (it brought to mind the sad case of Meredith Kercher who was also a student here). Like so many other towns in Italy, it has a well-preserved medieval heart which is jealously protected  from inappropriate building projects, making the strolling experience an enjoyable one.

The historic centre with its famous fountain.