Sala dei Notari, Perugia

The Sala dei Notari is one of Perugia's most splendid medieval interiors, hidden in plain sight above the fan-shaped flight of steps that rises from Piazza IV Novembre into the Palazzo dei Priori. Built at the end of the 13th century as the public assembly hall of the commune, it later became the meeting place of the guild of notaries, from which it takes its name. The hall is a single grand space spanned by eight wide Romanesque arches, and almost every surface above is painted: brilliantly coloured late-13th and early-14th-century frescoes cover the vaults and arches with biblical scenes, Aesop's fables, proverbs, and the heraldic coats of arms of the city's magistrates and captains of the people, restored in the 19th century to vivid effect. Looking up, visitors take in a dense pageant of figures, beasts and emblems against deep blue grounds. A visit is short, usually twenty to thirty minutes, and the hall is free to enter, which makes it an easy and rewarding addition to a walk around the main square. It is sometimes closed or in use for civic ceremonies, council meetings and concerts, so opening can be irregular; checking on arrival avoids disappointment. The best light falls through the windows in the late morning. The Sala dei Notari sits at the very heart of Perugia, the capital of Umbria, directly above the steps facing the Fontana Maggiore and cathedral, and pairs naturally with the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria in the same palace.