Everlasting Beauty
Cortona is situated on a hill where you can enjoy a unique and amazing view of the Val di Chiana.
To this day, despite the ever-increasing flow of tourists, Cortona – a city whose origins go back to the Etruscan period – manages to transmit a pleasing sense of peace and tranquility with its particular charm. The old town has preserved its medieval appeal, which, along with its ancient cultural heritage, has made it one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers from around the world, thanks as well to the publicity that it received from the best-selling memoir 'Under the Tuscan Sun', by Frances Mayes, along with the film, based on the book, which was shot in part in the piazzas of Cortona.
Hidden away in Cortona there are a number of architectural gems of unique beauty, rich in history.
A tour among the various churches, palazzi, shops, and city walls allows the visitor to discover a fascinating city with a unique atmosphere.
Piazza Repubblica
This is the main square in Cortona and the ideal point of departure from which to set out to explore the historic center of town.
It contains several important local monuments, including the Palazzo Comunale, with its wide stone staircase, across from the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, which dates back to 1300.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie di CalcinaioConstruction of the Church was begun by Francesco di Giorgio Martini in 1484. Inside the building, the various chapels still house precious paintings inspired by the iconography of the Virgin Mary. The third altar along the left side contains a tableau by the Florentine Jacone (1530), depicting the Madonna enthroned with the Baby Jesus and St. John the Apostle.
A beautiful stained-glass window designed by Guillaume de Marcillat (1516) decorates the façade.
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Other religious sites
At the heart of the historic center of Cortona one encounters the Church of San Cristoforo and the Church of San Marco, the latter including an external mosaic designed by Gino Severini. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo of Cortona, was erected over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple in the 11th century.The Basilica of Santa Margherita is dedicated to the patron saint of Cortona, a local Franciscan nun who lived here and dedicated her life to helping the poor and the sick. Her relics are still housed here to this day.
Just beyond the old city walls, there are various other religious sites that enrich the countryside surrounding Cortona, including the Chiesa di Santa Maria Nuova, which stands out with its towering cupola, and which was designed by Giorgio Vasari; as well as the Chiesa di San Domenico, which contains an altarpiece by Luca Signorelli.
The Fortress of Girifalco
Follow the path that leads up to this impressive trapezoidal structure – the view alone from the top is worth the effort of making the climb.
Historical documents dating back to 1258 AD attest to the existence of a 'strong and beautiful fortress' overlooking Cortona, and, in 1556, at the order of Cosimo De Medici the 1st, construction work began on the four bastions.
Beato Angelico - Annunciation
Museums
The Diocesan Museum houses a collection of treasures drawn from the Tuscan churches in the region, from the 13th century down to the 19th century.
Some of the most important works in the collection include the Annunciation (of Cortona) by Fra Angelico and the Deposition by Luca Signorelli.
The MAEC (Museum of Etruscan Art) holds a collection of Etruscan archeological finds, along with artistic works of a more recent date. The origins of the museum and its collection go back to 1727 when it was founded by the Etruscan Academy.
The Archeological Park is of particular importance with finds from both the Etruscan and Roman periods, and offers tours both within Cortona, as well as beyond the city walls.
In nearby Farneta, within the municipality of Cortona, there is the Mo.Pa Museum of Farneta, which contains a large collection of paleontological finds gathered by Father Sante Felici in the countryside around Cortona.
Finally, there is the Museum of Peasant Culture in Fratticciola, with a collection of tools, cooking utensils, and other objects connected to the old-fashioned traditions of the local rural culture of the past.
