Cortona, Italy City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Cortona, Italy Travel Guide has been your connection to Cortona's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Museums
 Duomo, Cortona's Renaissance cathedral, was built on the site of an Etruscan temple, and features an 11th century façade. Magnificent Renaissance paintings await you inside. Museo dell' Accademia Etrusca (Etruscan Academy Museum), located inside Palazzo Pretorio, on Piazza Signorelli Square, was founded in 1727. The museum showcases, Etruscan artifacts, Roman remains, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, 15th century ivories, a bronze lampadario (Etruscan hanging lamp), and a small Egyptian exhibit. As throughout most of Italy, the museum is closed on Mondays, so make sure to plan accordingly as this Museo is a real treat. Museo Diocesano features art works and a decorated Roman sarcophagus. One of the city’s greatest artistic treasures resides here; look for the two panels by Fra Angelico, an Annunciation and a Madonna and Child with Saints.
Near the public gardens of Cortona, San Domenico Church has an intact 15th century altar piece and works by Fra Angelico and Signorelli. Look above the entrance to the church for Fra Angelico’s work, created during his stay in Cortona in 1436. The Church of San Francesco, built in 1245, holds a Pietro di Cortona painting and the remains of Signorelli. While sometimes overlooked and less ornate as the Churches, paintings or sculptures, Cortona's Medieval Walls are impressive, weaved throughout the city’s historic center and winding streets. Near the walls, you'll often be rewarded with fantastic views of the valley below.
Located on the outskirts of Cortona are the Etruscan tombs, known as "Tanella di Pitagora" (so called because of the shape of the grassy mound that has grown over these ancient Etruscan burial places) circa 2nd century B.C. in the district of Cannaia.
With its strong and vibrant history, stunning architecture, magnificent artwork, well preserved artifacts, fertile plains, rolling hills and unparalleled views, Cortona is a must see along your Tuscan journey. |
