Cortona
At the border between Tuscany and Umbria, discover Cortona’s history and beauty
In south-eastern
Tuscany, on the border with
Umbria, the town of
Cortona is one of the main tourist destinations of the
Chiana Valley. It has a great location, approximately 600 meters above sea level, making it strategic and indeed appreciated during
Etruscan times.
The town sits on a hill, but
visiting Cortona doesn’t necessarily require too much effort because convenient escalators lead to a large parking lot in the historic city center.
What to see and do in Cortona
Piazza Signorelli
Close to the
Piazza della Repubblica lies
Piazza Signorelli, where you can admire
Palazzo Casali, and where you can also find the
Etruscan Academy Museum of the city of Cortona. To the right of the palace is the
Signorelli Theatre, another one of the city’s points of interest. Heading down Via Casali, you arrive at the
Duomo di Cortona.
Basilica di Santa Margherita and the Fortezza del Girifalco
At the highest point, not to be missed is the
Basilica di Santa Margherita, with its sixth century Bell Tower and the ancient Francescan convent still inhabited by monks and nuns.
Above the Church lies the
Fortezza del Girifalco, built by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de’ Medici and today often home to shows.
Piazza della Repubblica
It is
Cortona’s main square, the ideal starting point for your visit to the city. In fact, the
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and the
Palazzo Comunale look out upon the square.
Church of San Francesco
From
Piazza della Repubblica you pass under the archway of the
Palazzo del Capitano del Popoloand you arrive at the
Church of San Francesco, where some relics of the saint are preserved.
Via Nazionale
Heading back towards the
center of Cortona from the highest area, you come to
Via Nazionale which is the only flat one, a nice relief for your feet! Here you can find lots of local
artisanal shops, the perfect way to finish off your visit.
