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I am writing this article from the terrace of a beatiful Hotel in Cortona called Villa di Piazzano. I am connected in WIFI with my web site trying to organize my 2 days in Cortona. This Hotel is the perfect starting point for my itinerary.
Cortona Town Hall
Situated at 600 metres above sea level, Cortona is positioned high over an unrivalled panorama which stretches as far as the Sienese mountains and Lake Trasimeno. A town of Etruscan origin which grew rapidly during the Medieval and Renaissance periods and left behind some important reminders of its past that are still perfectly conserved. Presumably the medieval city sprung up inside the Etruscan walls and was subsequently enlarged with the addition of some splendid Renaissance buildings.
The present day town is still enclosed within the ancient city walls which go up and down the slopes of Monte S. Egidio, stretching for almost three kilometres in total. Once inside the walls, the many historical monuments, which highlight the town’s various architectural styles, offer a feast for the eyes.
Heading along Via Nazionale on foot, you come to the airy Piazza della Repubblica where you can see the thirteenth century Palazzo Civico.
Etruscan bronze chandelier
A little further on you can find the most noble of all Cortona’s buildings. Palazzo dei Casali, now home to the prestigious and much renowned Museum of the Accademia etrusca (Visits –10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm, closed on Monday).
Established in 1727 as an extension of the Accademia etrusca, it contains some valuable antiques from Egyptian and late Roman times, a vast Library (visits on request) and numerous Etruscan ornaments including a famous bronze chandelier, dating from the 5th century BC. There are also works by Pinturicchio and Luca Signorelli, who was born in Cortona and was responsible for the frescoes seen in the Cathedral of Orvieto.
Continuing along Viale delle Mura Etrusche, do not miss the Diocesan Museum (Visits –from April to September, 9.30am-1pm and 3.30pm-7pm; from October to March, 10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm; closed on Monday) housed inside the Church of Gesù, right in front of the cathedral where you can see the stunning Annunciation by Beato Angelico, one of the Tuscan artist’s greatest works, in the upper church. Other works by Beato Angelico and Luca Signorelli are kept in the churches of San Domenico and San Niccolò, which are located in the bottom part of the town, together with the wonderful sanctuary of the Madonna del Calcinaio designed by Francesco di Giorgio, a work of Florentine and Brunelleschi inspiration considered to be the archetype of suburban sanctuaries of the period bridging the 1400 and 1500s.
Just a little distance away on the slopes of Monte Sant’Egidio, you can find Le Celle Hermitage, (to the northeast of the town centre, just outside Porta Colonia), a convent founded by St. Frances between 1211 and 1221 and built into the rock hanging over a torrent where you can visit the saint’s cell. Standing triumphantly on top of the hill is the Girifalco Fortress where you can look down over all Val di Chiana, closed in on the horizon by Monte Amiata, and Lake Trasimeno.
Filed under: Cortona Tuscany Tagged: | accademia etrusca cortona, beato angelico cortona, cortona, cortona tuscany, le celle cortona, luca signorelli cortona, palazzo casali cortona
