Cortona between Etruscan History and Franciscan Tradition

In Cortona, Etruscan traces, medieval architectural history, museums and Franciscan tradition come together.

Etruscan and Medieval Traces

The archaeological area of Sodo is located in the Sodo district at the foot of Cortona and includes the Etruscan Archaic Tumulus I of Sodo. In the townscape, the Palazzo Casali leads into another era: it was built in the 13th century by the Casali family, which ruled Cortona, and served as the family’s official residence during its rule from 1325 to 1409. The two underground floors of Palazzo Casali, formerly used as prisons, house the Museo della Città Etrusca e Romana di Cortona.

The Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta also stands on several historical layers. Its structure was built on the remains of Etruscan and medieval walls, as well as on the ruins of the ancient Pieve di Santa Maria, visible on the façade. The bell tower dates from 1566 and is the work of the architect Francesco Laparelli, who came from Cortona.

Fortress, Museums and Sacred Sites

The Fortezza del Girifalco rises dominantly above the hill of Cortona. It was built in 1561 by the architect Serbelloni on behalf of Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici and is used as a historic venue for exhibitions of contemporary art. Military architectural history and exhibitions of contemporary art thus meet at this site.

The Diocesan Museum of Cortona is housed in the Complesso del Gesù, which was built between 1498 and 1505. The museum houses paintings on wooden panels and canvas, as well as the “Annunciation” by Beato Angelico. The Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona is located on the edge of Cortona’s historic old town, in an elevated position. In an urn above the high altar, an embossed silver frame preserves the body of Saint Margaret.

Le Celle is considered one of the first Franciscan hermitages and an important pilgrimage site for followers of Saint Francis. The hermitage is also among the first Franciscan settlements selected and desired by Francis of Assisi. The liturgical feast day of Saint Margaret on February 22 is considered an important feast day for Cortona and the entire diocese.

Music and Views

Since 2000, the Associazione Organi Storici Cortona has organized an annual concert series featuring organ works as well as works for organ and other instruments. The concert series thus adds a musical accent to Cortona’s sacred and art-historical themes. Along the Cortona–Alta Sant’Egidio–Eremo delle Celle route, views of Cortona and the Val di Chiana open up at several points.

Arrival and Regional Orientation

From the Terontola or Camucia Cortona railway stations, Cortona can be reached by taxi or by buses operated by Tiemme or Autolinee Toscane. There are also bus connections to Cortona from the railway stations in Arezzo and Castiglion Fiorentino.

Other Places in the Municipality

For further orientation, you can also explore the connected places: Camucia, Pergo Di Cortona, Terontola, Pietraia, Barullo-Centoia, Campaccio, Mercatale, Fratticciola, Riccio, Cegliolo, Ossaia, Sant'agata, Col Di Morro, Torreone, Montanare, Monsigliolo and Chianacce.

For the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.