CORTONA

Cortona was one of the twelve cities of the Etruscan League – substantial fragments of its primitive cyclopean defences can still be seen, incorporated in the medieval walls. At the end of the IV century B.C. the city was probably taken by the Romans. In the XI century Cortona is a free Comune.

Cortona has changed very little in its urban make up, it remains there- framed in the center of a triangle which has for its corners three of the cities of Central Italy which are most rich in history and art works, Arezzo, Siena and Perugia. About eighty kilometers from Florence, Cortona remains a satellite of this city, remaining in its orbit nearly 500 years from 1411 the year of the loss of her independance as a free Comune until 1860.

Apart from a few fine Renaissance palaces, the prevailing character of Cortona’s architecture is medieval, conferring on the steep narrow streets a strong sense of atmosphere.
Most interesting among many art works of various periods in the Museum of the Accademia Etrusca are the Etruscan chandelier known as the "lamp of Cortona", one of the most celebrated bronzes of antiquity, and the "Polymnia Muse", an encaustic painting of the Roman era, of remarkable beauty.

The Diocesan Museum displays works of Luca Signorelli, distinguished Renaissance painter and native of Cortona, and a much-admired "Annunciation" by Fra Angelico.
The most important medieval buildings are the churches of S. Francesco and S. Domenico and the Palazzo Casale, which has a Renaissance façade. In these, and in the Renaissance churches of S. Maria Nuova and S. Nicolò, valuable works of art are preserved.
The neighbourhood of Cortona is dotted with Etruscan monuments: the tomb called "Den of Pythagoras" (2nd century BC) in the Cannaia district; Etruscan tombs and a hypogeum (6th and 7th centuries BC) in the Sodo district. Among the evocative holy places are the romanesque church of S. Angelo in the Metelliano district, the beautiful church of S. Maria delle Grazie (16th century) at Calcinaio and the convent of the Celle, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi.
The city is commandingly situated (altitude 600 metres) and there are magnificent panoramas to every point of the compass, embracing the whole of the Valdichiana.