Tour poster: Shadows of the Condottieri: Perugia's Blood and Stone
Red Thread OriginalPerugia
All tours in Perugia

Self-guided audio tour

Perugia

Shadows of the Condottieri Perugia's Blood and Stone

History & MemoryPower, Protest & Civic Spaces
Distance
3.6 km
Duration
117 min
Route
7 stops

Step into the dark, beating heart of medieval Perugia. This is not a tale of peaceful Renaissance painters and quiet monks. This is the visceral reality of a city ruled by ruthless mercenary captains, where noble families fought urban wars from towering stone fortresses, and where the architecture itself was designed to…

Max Krämer
Your guide Max Krämer History & Memory
Audio sample

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the dark, beating heart of medieval Perugia. This is not a tale of peaceful Renaissance painters and quiet monks. This is the visceral reality of a city ruled by ruthless mercenary captains, where noble families fought urban wars from towering stone fortresses, and where the architecture itself was designed to intimidate, defend, and kill. Uncover the buried neighborhoods, the ruined pantheons, and the blood-soaked history of the Baglioni dynasty. You will never look at these ancient stones the same way again.

Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
02

Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
03

Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
04

Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
05

Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
06

Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
07

Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Rocca Paolina & Via Bagliona

A 16th-century papal fortress built directly over the buried neighborhood of the ruthless Baglioni family.

Rocca Paolina & Via Bagliona

Image by Enric on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.74 km • 11 min
2

STOP 2

Torre degli Sciri

The only surviving intact family tower from an era when Perugia bristled with over 70 such structures used for urban warfare.

Torre degli Sciri

Image by Umbria ws on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.19 km • 3 min
3

STOP 3

San Francesco al Prato

A ruined church serving as the pantheon of Perugia, tied to the warlord Braccio da Montone and the infamous Red Wedding.

San Francesco al Prato

Image by Bultro on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.88 km • 14 min
4

STOP 4

Palazzo dei Priori

The imposing seat of the Free Commune, featuring intimidating architecture and the chains of conquered cities.

Palazzo dei Priori

Image by Gianni Careddu on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.37 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

The modest palace of the foreign magistrate hired to keep the peace, symbolizing the failure of civic self-governance.

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

Image by Gianni Careddu on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.69 km • 11 min
6

STOP 6

Arco Etrusco

A massive ancient gate featuring Etruscan foundations and a Renaissance loggia, symbolizing continuous militarization.

Arco Etrusco

Image by Bibopg79 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.75 km • 11 min
7

END

Cassero di Porta Sant'Angelo

The largest medieval gate in Perugia, a true fortress that encapsulates the martial spirit of the city.

Cassero di Porta Sant'Angelo

Image by Eliocommons on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, dark tourism enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone fascinated by the gritty reality of medieval and Renaissance politics.
  • Best time Late afternoon, when the shadows lengthen across the stone streets, enhancing the ominous atmosphere.
  • Footwear Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. The medieval cobblestones and steep inclines are unforgiving.
  • Layers Bring a light jacket. The underground passages of the Rocca Paolina can be quite chilly, even in summer.
  • Pacing Take your time on the inclines. Perugia is a hill town, and the verticality is part of the experience.
  • Photography Look for the contrast between light and shadow in the narrow alleys for the best atmospheric shots.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
0:000:00

Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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