Basilica San Domenica

Just down the street from our hotel in Perugia is the Basilica San Domenica. We first saw it when we arrived here and immediately decided we wanted to pay it a visit. Like so many of the buildings and monuments we've visited, this place is ENORMOUS. To get an idea of its size, look at the photo of Brenda standing next to the entrance door.

Originally built in two phases between 1304 and 1458, it was rebuilt in 1632 following a series of collapses.

Not only is the size of the structure impressive, but so is the artwork, stained glass and carvings. Particularly striking are the 14th-century funerary monument to Pope Benedict XI, carved in marble and extremely detailed, and the 21-meter-tall stained-glass window that dates to 1411. The pipe organ is a "recent" addition and dates to the 16th century.

As we toured the church, we found exposed portions of original frescoes that had, at some time, been plastered over during renovations.

It boggles the mind to think how much beautiful art may be hidden behind the more modern walls. But then, I suppose the same can be said for this entire city, that has been built up over Etruscan ruins.

And previous to that, Etruscan builders would have covered up traces left behind by Neanderthals 200,000 years ago.

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