The church was shortened by nearly half its original length during the 17th-century reconstruction to address structural instability.
The 23-meter-high stained glass window in the apse is considered one of the largest and most complex Gothic windows in Italy.
The tomb of Pope Benedict XI was sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and is widely regarded as one of the most important examples of funerary art from the trecento period.
The adjacent convent houses a significant collection of prehistoric items, including the 'Tomb of the Bronze Cauldron'.
The choir woodcarvings were executed by Apollonio Petrocini and represent a transition between late Gothic and Renaissance aesthetics.
The Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia is the largest church in the Umbria region, originally constructed by the Dominican Order starting in 1304. The current structure features a massive 17th-century interior redesign, though it retains a dramatic 15th-century Gothic window that dominates the apse. The convent complex now houses the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, which contains extensive regional prehistoric and Etruscan artifacts. The basilica’s most prominent funerary monument is the tomb of Pope Benedict XI, a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture. The wooden choir stalls, completed in 1476, are among the most intricate Renaissance examples in Italy. A long, grand staircase provides the primary approach to the entrance from the Corso Cavour side. The current church is actually a significantly truncated version of the original building, which collapsed in the 17th century.
From the bottom of the grand exterior staircase, looking up toward the massive facade.
Visit the adjacent National Archaeological Museum in the same trip to see the full extent of the former convent complex.
Take time to view the details of the wooden choir stalls from the designated observation area.
Walk around the exterior perimeter to see the massive brick foundation remnants from the original larger structure.
Missing the tomb of Pope Benedict XI, which is easily overlooked if you only look at the main altar.
Maintain silence inside the sanctuary and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
