Piazza Italia is more park-like than piazza-like. It is a very small green, garden space with a winding path, park benches, colourful flower beds, established trees, statues and fountains. Its centre-piece is a large and imposing statue of Vittorio Emanuele II on horseback. At one end, there is a pond-like fountain with a graceful statue of a siren. Children were having fun throwing bread to the fish in the pond. At the other end, is a matching fountain with the whimsical statue of a small child. Piazza Italia is only a short walk from the main piazza. After exploring the historic buildings in the Piazza IV Novembre, we strolled up Corso Vannucci until we reach the Palazzo della Provincia. Piazza Italia sits out the front of the palazzo. If you continue on, around the back of the building, you will come to another small park, the the Carducci Gardens. It is worth noting that across the road there is a lovely bar, Punto di Vista, which has panoramic views over Perugia, the Umbrian countryside and beyond.

The Piazza was my first taste of old Perugia after being dropped off by the public bus (Linea G) in the plaza. It is surrounded by lovely buildings (government, banks, hotels) and there are several benches to sit and enjoy the small fountain and attractive sculpture. Just steps from the Piazza you can take the escalators down to Rocca Paolina.