Within this brief guide you will find useful information for a stay in "sweet" Perugia.
Nowadays it is customary for chocolate lovers to gather in Perugia for the Eurochocolate event, a festival dedicated to chocolate which takes place in the second half of October.
However, here it boasts a much more consolidated tradition with the dessert of the gods, and perhaps it is worth making a "chocolate" itinerary of the Perugian artisan tradition.
Below you will find the list of places not to be missed.
The historic chocolate places in Perugia
The Perugina shop is now located in Corso Vanucci 110. Below it is possible to see an image of a Perugina shop in the 1930s: while moving from one place to another, the activity has always been along Corso Vannucci, the parlor of Perugia.
Also in the historic centre, in via Alessi, a commemorative plaque reminds us that "from this first narrow location" Perugina was born in 1907, but after more than a century almost nothing remains of the original buildings. Another historic place for chocolate is Piazza del Bacio, now the headquarters of the Fontivegge Management Complex, built in the 1980s by architect Aldo Rossi. The industries of Perugina had moved here in the 1920s, and today the tallest chimney, clearly visible next to the modern buildings, remains of the factories as a relic of industrial archeology. The Management Complex houses the offices of the Umbria Region, and unfortunately the square is now left in a state of decay, and after 8.00 pm it is not recommended to walk alone in this area of the city, although beautiful, which is located a few hundreds of meters from the central station of Perugia of the State Railways. Much more attentive to its reputation as a place of chocolate is the factory of San Sisto della Perugina. Inside is the Perugina Historical Museum, inaugurated in 1997 on the occasion of the first 90 years of life of the historical Italian kissing industry. The museum is open from Monday to Friday, and sometimes also on weekends. The visit to the museum is free, but reservations are required (tel. 075-527-6796).
Pasticceria Sandri, in Corso Vannucci 32, is the oldest pastry shop in all of Umbria,
The Perugina shop is now located in Corso Vanucci 110. Below it is possible to see an image of a Perugina shop in the 1930s: while moving from one place to another, the activity has always been along Corso Vannucci, the parlor of Perugia.
Also in the historic centre, in via Alessi, a commemorative plaque reminds us that "from this first narrow location" Perugina was born in 1907, but after more than a century almost nothing remains of the original buildings. Another historic place for chocolate is Piazza del Bacio, now the headquarters of the Fontivegge Management Complex, built in the 1980s by architect Aldo Rossi. The industries of Perugina had moved here in the 1920s, and today the tallest chimney, clearly visible next to the modern buildings, remains of the factories as a relic of industrial archeology. The Management Complex houses the offices of the Umbria Region, and unfortunately the square is now left in a state of decay, and after 8.00 pm it is not recommended to walk alone in this area of the city, although beautiful, which is located a few hundreds of meters from the central station of Perugia of the State Railways. Much more attentive to its reputation as a place of chocolate is the factory of San Sisto della Perugina. Inside is the Perugina Historical Museum, inaugurated in 1997 on the occasion of the first 90 years of life of the historical Italian kissing industry. The museum is open from Monday to Friday, and sometimes also on weekends. The visit to the museum is free, but reservations are required (tel. 075-527-6796).
Pasticceria Sandri, in Corso Vannucci 32, is the oldest pastry shop in all of Umbria,
opened in 1860 by the Schucani family, originally from Switzerland. The best traditions from beyond the Alps were imported here, merging with those from Perugia: here, for example, it is possible to find the very typical pinoccate alongside the Swiss Linzer Torte. The sweets, real chocolate jewels, are displayed behind the crystal cases of what over time has become the most famous showcase in the city, set up following the most salient current events with care.
Of note, in this virtual tour of the places of chocolate, is the fine Talmone chocolate shop, of ancient Piedmontese tradition, in via Maestà delle Volte 12. Local historical rival of the Perugina shop in Corso Vannucci, it is located in a place of valuable historical and architectural interest and is defined as the sweetheart of Perugia, due to its very central location.
Beloved by Perugians is the Antica Latteria Perugia, in via Baglioni 5, where in a small room amidst picturesque majolica tiles you can enjoy a hot chocolate accompanied by the best Maritozzi alla panna (fresh, whipped by hand before your eyes) in the city. Finally, we point out the Caffè di Perugia, in via Mazzini 10, with an artisan production of chocolate.