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Rocca Paolina, Perugia

4.7
#1 of 154 in Things to do in Perugia
Castle · Tourist Spot
Visit the historic streets and ruins that lie beneath Perugia at Rocca Paolina. Here, a fortress was built in the 16th century at the behest of Pope Paul II. It was constructed over the part of town where powerful rebels lived as a symbol of papal power. The fortress was demolished after Italy annexed the area, and new buildings were erected in its place. Take the escalator to see what remains of the fortress and the medieval neighborhood it was built on. Wander the centuries-old streets, stand where the homes of the powerful Baglioni family once were, and soak up the somewhat eerie atmosphere. This space is often used for cultural events, so be on the lookout for any art shows. It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to Rocca Paolina and many more Perugia attractions: make an itinerary online using Inspirock's Perugia trip builder tool.
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Tours to Rocca Paolina

FROM $216 BOOK WITH VIATOR Perugia Private Walking Tour
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $216 »
FROM $62 BOOK WITH VIATOR Perugia Highlights Semi Private Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $62 »
FROM $311 BOOK WITH VIATOR Perugia: private walking tour with a local guide
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $311 »

Rocca Paolina reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
2,083 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By backpacker31
    What a wonderful surprise this underground city turned out to be. I accessed via the escalators adjacent to Provincia di Perugia (government building) in Piazza Italia. It felt like traveling from...  more »
  • By Richard W
    If you're taking the escalators up to the old city, take a few minutes to explore the old fortress. There are some great exhibits. Be sure to watch the historical video.  more »
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Google
  • By Jesse McMaster
    A great public use of a historical site. This is also a great way to exit the old city by using the escalators! The Rocca Paolina is well maintained and clearly lit. One improvement could be including the historical information in languages other than Italian.
  • By Dorota Adamczyk
    An amazing place to see in Perugia. Very interesting story of how and why it was constructed. It's quite impressive place, large space with a dim light and uneven floor makes everything quite spectacular. Also it's free and gives nice relief from the heat outside.
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