A major exhibition of the works of 15th century Umbria artist Pintoricchio, marking the 550 th anniversary of his birth, is proving to be one of the most popular exhibitions in Italy this year.

Programmed to run from the 2 nd February till the 29 th June in various sites around Umbria, the show has been swamped with visitors, eager to admire the works of what is considered to be one of the most interesting and innovative artists of the Italian renaissance. The centre of the exhibition is in Perugia, Pintoricchios birthplace, but other works by the artist are to be seen in Spello, Spoleto, Trevi, Orvieto and Città di Castello.

A particular attraction is the series of frescoes in the Baglioni chapel (better known as the Cappella Bellaâ in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiori in the small historic town of Spello. It was due to the splendid sequence of paintings, crowded with images and minute details in brilliant colours that the chapel was given the nickname of Beautiful Chapel.

Perugina:

Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria at the Palazzo dei Priori

Opening hours: every day from 9.30 to 8 pm.

Tickets: 10 (reductions for minors, students & senior citizens)

 Spello:

Cappello Baglioni at Santa Maria Maggiore + Pinacoteca Civica

Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 9.30 to 8 pm, Sun. 12.30 to 7 pm.

Access: maximum 25 people every 15 minutes, no entry when mass is being held.

Tickets:5 (reductions for minors, students & senior citizens)

A Pintoricchio Card is also available. It costs 17 and includes all the exhibition venues, as well as 11 other museums and archaeological sites in Perugia.

For information: www.comune.perugia.it