Strategically perched upon a hill the world-celebrated town of Cortona affords its visitors stunning views over the Valdichiana, the Lake Trasimeno and the Monte Amiata.
Originally an Etruscan city-state Cortona was later conquered by the Romans and the Goths before it eventually became a free-commune around the 12th century as the town reached the very height of its splendour.
The Piazza della Repubblica looked over by the imposing Palazzo Comunale with its lovely front steps and its commanding clock-tower is the very heart of this town (our gallery looks out onto the square).
The Palazzo Casali located in the adjacent square is the home of the new Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona (Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona) housing the famous Etruscan Lamp dating back to the 5th century B.C and the Tabula Cortonensis, a crucially important fragment of the archaic Etruscan language.
The Museo Diocesano located across from the Cathderal houses the Annunciazione by Beato Angelico and other works by major Tuscan artists including Cortona-born Luca Signorelli. Strolling about in the historic centre and climbing to the upper part of the town you will be able to see the Basilica of Santa Margherita and the Medicean Fortress.
Just outside the city walls the hermitage of Le Celle is a stunningly located Capuchin convent in which Saint Francis spent some time in 1211 .