| 
A city of ancient and mysterious origins.
Perched high up on a hilltop stands the old and majestic
town of Cortona,
which can be clearly seen in all its splendour even from
afar: a rare trait for a Tuscan town.
The ancient hamlets are in fact situated
high up on a hillock from where the surrounding lands can
be surveyed for miles around. It was for this reason that
Italian villages were usually concealed from view behind
fortress-like walls.
Cortona has been designed in a fan-shape
on consecutive levels so as not to be hidden by its surrounding
walls. In fact just the opposite is true: the walls seem
to draw the levels together and push them upwards, offering
visitors an unforgettable first glance. This certainly makes
the town seem a very attractive place to visit, but before
setting out on your tour it is advisable to get to know
at least some of the main aspects of Cortona's past that
characterise its abundant culture and art. Cortona boasts
extremely old Umbrian and Etruscan Lucomonia origins (dating
back to around the 6th century B.C.).
It was defeated at the hands of the
Romans (who called it Corito) and was then invaded by the
Goths during the 5th century. In the 13th century it declared
itself a free-governing municipality and in the 14th century
recognised the rule of the group of hamlets, which exercised
its supremacy over the neighbouring towns.
Cortona's historical centre comprises
Palazzo Comunale (1241) with its flight of steps leading
up to the entrance and an embattled tower, Palazzo del Capitano
del Popolo (1250) and Palazzo Pretorio (1268). In the immediate
vicinity of the town centre are three religious buildings
of note. The 11th century cathedral of SS.
Maria Assunta, the 13th century church
of S. Agostino and the 13th century church of S. Francesco,
with its impressive Gothic portal.
All around this district steep roads
and streets branch off and promise unexpected views along
the way. The sights constantly change depending on what
building you happen to come across, whether it be from the
early Medieval Ages, the 13th century or the Renaissance.
A local curiosity are the "porte
del morto" (the doors of death) which can be found
next to the entrances of some of the medieval palaces.
Narrow in structure and slightly raised
off the ground they were used to carry coffins in and out
of the palaces. An absolute must during your stay is a visit
to the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca (the Etruscan Museum)
that houses many Etruscan artefacts from the 5th century
B.C. Objects include the famous bronze "lampadario"
(chandelier) with the head of Gorgon in its centre and fantastical
animal embellishments (satyrs and sirens) and the extraordinarily
beautiful "Musa Polimma", a beautiful fresco of
Polymnia, the muse of song, believed to be from the Roman
period.
The Museo Diocesano is made up of two churches
built by Jesuits at the end of the 16th century. The most
famous work of art housed here is L'Annunciazione"
(The Annunciation) by Beato Angelico. At the very top of
the town stand two impressive monuments.
The first is the 14th century Santuario
di S. Margherita da Cortona (the sanctuary of S. Margherita
from Cortona) containing the Gothic tomb of the saint herself.
The second is the Fortezza Medicea (or Fortezza del Girifalco),
built in 1556 on a rock, from where views over the Val di
Chiana and Lake Trasimeno can be appreciated. Located on
the outskirts of the town are the Etruscan tombs, known
as "Tanella di Pitagora" (2nd century B.C.) in
the district of Cannaia. There are also Etruscan tombs ad
hypogeum from the 6th and 7th centuries B.C. in the locality
of Sodo and the beautiful 16th century temple of S. Maria
delle Grazie at Calcinaio.
The local cuisine in Cortona is made up
of simple but genuine dishes. Of particular note are the
panzanella (summer salad of tomatoes, basil, cucumber, onion
and bread), crostini neri, galletto ai carboni (cockerel
cooked over charcoals) and pici al sugo di ocio.
|
Segnalaci
siti notizie per turisti o eventi
