Santa Maria di Monteluce, Gothic church and former monastery in Perugia, Italy.
Santa Maria di Monteluce is a church and former convent in Perugia featuring a distinctive pink and white marble facade completed in 1451 and decorated wooden doors at its double entrance. Inside, you find extensive painted walls from the 1600s that cover much of the interior with religious scenes and figures.
The complex began in 1218 as a Benedictine cloister and underwent major changes when different religious orders took it over during the medieval and early modern periods. It remained in religious use until the unification of Italy in 1861 transformed its role in society.
The name honors Mary and reflects the deep religious devotion that shaped this place for centuries. You can see this dedication expressed through the art, the layout of the spaces, and how the building itself serves the community today.
The site is centrally located in Perugia and easy to reach, functioning as an active parish church that opens regularly for worship. Plan your visit around religious services, as these may affect when you can explore the interior freely.
Behind the altar area sits an ancient nuns' choir that holds painted walls from the 14th century created by artists from Umbria and Siena. This hidden section shows artistic influences that predate the later baroque paintings added to the church.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
