The Insula Room (1/6)
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Introduction

The Insula Room

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Welcome to the "Saint Lawrence Island"!

The monumental complex of Saint Lawrence's Cathedral in Piazza IV Novembre (November-4th Square, i.e. the day when WWI ended), at the very town core, is one of the most meaningful places in Perugia. From the viewpoint of city planning, it works as one architectural complex – that's why in the course of time it has been often called the Saint Lawrence "Island." The area includes the Cathedral, its two cloisters, and the buildings of the Canons (community of Catholic priests). Part of it has been transformed into the location of the Chapter Museum since 1923 ("Chapter" meaning the priests' Council). And, below your feet runs the route of Underground Perugia.

The places you will be visiting have just been taken care of through a project called "The Saint Lawrence Island and its route in the Shape of Time." It aims to stress the importance of this monumental complex by safeguarding it and promoting – together with it – Perugia's cultural heritage.

The works you see in this room show Piazza IV Novembre and Saint Lawrence's Cathedral as they looked like in the 17th century, and reconstruct some moments in the life of the Canons of the Cathedral Chapter, who have always been the owners and keepers of the whole complex. On the rear wall the core concept of our project is explained: "No meaning can be conveyed except by giving it a shape" (G. Kubler). You will have the opportunity to visit this room at the end of the tour, if you haven't yet done so.

Your travel in time starts here.