Timeless beauty.
Cortona is a charming Etruscan hilltop town from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding Val di Chiana.
Cortona can be busy – it attracts a lot of tourists. Despite this, Cortona manages to convey a pleasant sense of calm and tranquility. The old town has preserved its medieval charm along with its rich cultural heritage, making Cortona one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers from all over the world. The popular film Under the Tuscan Sun (based on Frances Mayes’ book) was filmed in the squares of Cortona and has also contributed to making Cortona famous internationally.
Cortona hides numerous architectural gems along its medieval streets: take a tour of its churches, palazzi, shops and city walls to discover this magical town.
Piazza Repubblica
This is the main square of Cortona and the ideal starting point from which to start exploring the historic center of the city. The townhall (Palazzo Comunale), with its wide stone staircase, is the focal point of the square. Opposite the townhall stands Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (the official residence of the Captain – the political ruler), which dates back to 1300.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Calcinaio
It would be a shame not to visit this beautiful hilltop church that overlooks the historic center of Cortona.
The construction of the Church was entrusted to Francesco di Giorgio Martini in 1484. Inside the building, the chapels display paintings inspired by the iconography of the Virgin Mary. The third altar on the left side displays a panel by Florentine artist Jacone (1530), depicting the Virgin Mary with Child and St. John the Apostle.
A beautiful stained-glass window designed by Guillaume de Marcillat (1516) decorates the Church’s façade.
Other religious sites
In the heart of the historic center of Cortona you’ll find the Church of San Cristoforo and the Church of San Marco, the latter with an external mosaic designed by Gino Severini. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Cathedral of Cortona, was erected on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple in the eleventh 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. Just beyond the walls of the old town, there are various other religious sites that enrich the countryside surrounding Cortona, including the Church of Santa Maria Nuova, which stands out with its imposing dome, and which was designed by Giorgio Vasari; as was the Church of San Domenico, which contains an altarpiece by Luca Signorelli.
The fortress of Girifalco
Follow the path that leads to this imposing trapezoidal fortress: the view from the top is worth the climb. Historic documents dating back to 1258 state that there was a “solid and beautiful fortress” overlooking Cortona. In 1556, under Cosimo I De Medici, a new fortress was built on the foundations of the ancient one.
The Cells of St. Francis – thirteenth century
“Whether for religious reasons or not, this place will certainly calm your soul and elevate your spirit. This small Franciscan hermitage conveys an infinite sense of peace and the monks’ faith, omniscient yet simple, emanates from every single leaf and stone. I believe this is one of the most beautiful Franciscan convents around”.
This brief note was written by an anonymous visitor to the Cells of St. Francis.
