Ehi, studenti di UT San Antonio!
As UT San Antonio’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts students abroad enter their fifth week of study, they reflect on their latest adventures in the ancient city of Perugia. The Etruscan people who built this city are now extinct; however, their historical imprint remains within the walls of the colorful sprawl. Tall Etruscan arches and aged aqueducts blend well with the modernity of the city, making Perugia a center of knowledge.
Perugia’s natural beauty is reminiscent of Colorado, from the peaking mountains in the distance to the vast greenery in the city. Although the environment is somewhat similar, the town’s history does not compare to the U.S. whatsoever. Imprints left by the former city rulers serve as proof that the Romans adapted aspects of Etruscan architecture and urban planning. The city is lined with durable roads and aged buildings, serving as reminders of a long-gone civilization. Despite the prestige of the Etruscans, it is apparent that their people did not want outsiders to understand their language. This assumption comes from the fact that most surviving documents written in Etruscan are funerary ones.
Although modern-day Perugia is more influenced by Roman civilization, remnants of the Etruscans among the city’s pizza shops and Roman decorum are still prominent. One example of the Etruscan footprint left in Perugia is the ancient well, which was dug out sometime in the late third century B.C. This well is fed by three natural springs, which are still active today. Another reminder of the pre-Roman civilization is the Arco Etrusco, or the arch that marks the Northern end of Perugia. This arch now has “Avgvsta Pervsia,” translated to “Perugia of Augustus,” carved above it, signifying Rome’s capture of Perugia. It was inscribed in 40 B.C. when the Roman empire captured the city, burned it down and rebuilt it as their own.
Perugia’s dark history does not keep it from growing, though. This walled city is not only home to an international university but also has wondrous sites to see, such as the medieval Roman aqueduct that stretches across 2.5 miles. Although the aqueduct is no longer functioning, it now serves as a bridge that connects to brightly-painted apartment buildings. Another adorant site is the Piazza IV Noviembre, which is home to a beautiful fountain known as Fontana Maggiore. Above all else, Perugia is also considered the chocolate capital of Italy. Yum!
Join COLFA students on a venture to the alluring city of Venice next week! Also, do not forget to follow @lettersfromurbino on Instagram to check out exclusive pictures of adventures abroad.
Alla prossima, studentesse!
