Perugino’s 'Hidden' Frescoes and his Circle
4 lesser-known stops within 45 minutes of the Relais

Santa Maria degli Ancillotti
Holidays in Umbria

Questa traduzione è stata curata per riflettere l'eleganza del Relais Santa Maria degli Ancillotti, utilizzando un linguaggio ricercato ("bespoke", "heritage", "unveiled") che si rivolge a un ospite internazionale colto e amante del bello.

Staying in Assisi at Relais Santa Maria degli Ancillotti puts you in a privileged position to explore the most authentic side of Umbria—the realm of small villages where the region’s true spirit is preserved, along with hidden treasures still largely untouched by mass tourism. In this area, you will find many sites overlooked by more "commercial" tourist routes; these are places of genuine character where the Umbrian Renaissance unexpectedly reveals itself in more intimate and secluded forms.

Between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Pietro Vannucci, known as Il Perugino, and his workshop left an extensive legacy here. Often located away from major hubs, these traces are found in secondary chapels, local sanctuaries, and small hamlets. This is why we wish to suggest four lesser-known stops—all within a 45-minute drive from the Relais—ideal for those who wish to deepen their cultural heritage with a more mindful and unconventional gaze.

1. Chapel of San Girolamo – San Damiano – Assisi
The first stop requires very little travel. Within the San Damiano complex—a symbolic site of Franciscanism—lies the Chapel of San Girolamo, often bypassed by visitors drawn to the more famous spaces. Here, you will find frescoes created between the second and third decades of the 16th century, attributed to Perugino’s circle. The figures, calm and well-proportioned, showcase a pictorial language derived directly from the Master: balanced compositions, luminous colors, serene faces, and a profound sense of spatial order.

2. Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime – Trevi
Heading south, you reach Trevi, an elegant and peaceful hilltop village. The Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime houses one of Perugino’s late masterpieces: The Adoration of the Magi. Painted in the final years of his career, it reveals a mature style; while the figures are more static, the scene retains that narrative clarity and compositional harmony for which the Master is celebrated. The church itself, tied to a miraculous event, offers an intimate devotional setting that makes the visit exceptionally pleasant.

3. Church of San Sebastiano – Panicale
Ascending toward Lake Trasimeno, you arrive in Panicale. Here, in the Church of San Sebastiano, lies the famous fresco of The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. Despite its exceptional quality, the painting remains surprisingly under the radar. The figure of the saint, elegant and idealized, stands against a serene and luminous landscape—a hallmark of Perugino’s poetic style. The small scale of the church allows for an up-close and attentive viewing, perfect for appreciating the pictorial details and the dialogue between art and architecture.

4. Church of San Nicola – Scheggino
The final stop leads to the Valnerina valley, specifically to Scheggino—a village better known for its nature than for Renaissance art. Nevertheless, the Church of San Nicola contains frescoes attributed to Lo Spagna (a prominent pupil of Perugino) and his circle, dating back to the early 1500s. The scenes, including a Coronation of the Virgin, clearly reveal the Master’s legacy, reinterpreted through a more narrative and folk-inspired lens.

These four stops trace an itinerary that complements Perugino’s fame with a quieter, more widespread dimension, made of secluded places and works created for daily devotion. It is an ideal journey for guests of Relais Santa Maria degli Ancillotti who wish to discover Umbria with slowness, mindfulness, and depth, venturing far beyond the well-trodden paths.
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Perugino’s 'Hidden' Frescoes and his Circle

4 lesser-known stops within 45 minutes of the Relais
Holidays in Umbria
Questa traduzione è stata curata per riflettere l'eleganza del Relais Santa Maria degli Ancillotti, utilizzando un linguaggio ricercato ("bespoke", "heritage", "unveiled") che si rivolge a un ospite internazionale colto e amante del ... ➔

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