Cortona

Cortona

Cortona is a small charming town in the Valdichiana valley, in the province of Arezzo. The town, surrounded by stone walls that still bear visible Etruscan and Roman features, is built on a hill that reaches about 600 meters in height. This elevated position provides a good view from various points of the town, allowing you to admire the beautiful landscapes of the Valdichiana. The Trasimeno Lake in Umbria can also be seen.

The small town offers many interesting things to visit, including the Diocesan Museum (which collects various objects and artworks from the churches of the territory belonging to the diocese) and the MAEC (The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona), where you can see many artifacts found in the Etruscan archaeological sites in the vicinity.

Not to be missed is a visit to the beautiful Santa Margherita Sanctuary, the patron saint of the city, and the Girifalco fortress. Both are located at the highest point of the hill, which you can safely reach on foot through short, steep paths along the city walls overlooking the surrounding area.

Just outside the walls of Cortona, you'll find the Convento delle Celle, the first monastery built by St. Francis of Assisi in 1211, where a small community of friars still resides.