Cortona
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One of Tuscany’s most rewarding hill towns, Cortona is a little-known haven of Etruscan tombs, medieval alleyways, Renaissance art, sweeping views and small-town ambience. It was probably settled even before the Etruscans, and later became an important member of that society, as the tombs in its valley attest. Fra Angelico’s home, Cortona also gave birth to Renaissance genius Luca Signorelli, Baroque master Pietro da Cortona and 20th-century Futurist Gino Severini.
More on Etruscan Sights Around Cortona More on Hill Towns
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1. Museo dell’ Accademia Etrusca
The star piece here is a bronze oil-lamp chandelier depicting figures dancing round Medusa, dated to circa 5th century BC. This is surrounded by ancient bronzes, 15th-century ivories, and paintings by Signorelli, Pinturicchio, Pietro da Cortona and Empoli. There are also small exhibits on Egypt, objets d’art , Futurist painter Gino Severini, and the ongoing excavations at the Etruscan site Melone II.
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2. Museo Diocesano
Small museum housing outstanding works, from a Roman sarcophagus, studied by Donatello, to paintings by Pietro Lorenzetti, Fra Angelico, Luca Signorelli, the studio of Signorelli and his talented nephew Francesco.
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3. Melone II del Sodo
The remarkable altar on this huge 6th-century BC Etruscan tumulus was discovered in the 1990s. The altar – a sphinx-flanked staircase leading to a wide platform – is orientated towards Cortona up on the hillside, suggesting that this may have been a princely tomb.
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4. Duomo
Cortona’s barrel-vaulted Renaissance cathedral is filled with decent, but not great, 16th- and 17th-century paintings by Luca Signorelli and others.
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5. Rugapiana (Via Nazionale)
The main drag of Cortona is the only flat street (rugapiana in local dialect) in town. Steep alleyways spill off either side of the pedestrian thoroughfare.
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6. Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio
A set-piece of High Renaissance architecture (1485–1513), the church is the masterpiece of Francesco di Giorgio Martini, set amid olive groves below the town walls.
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7. Melone I del Sodo
The passages of this 6th-century BC Etruscan tomb were shored up in the 19th century. Bookings can be made to get inside to see the remarkable adjoining burial chambers and Etruscan script.
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8. San Niccolò
Tiny 15th-century church beyond a cypress-lined courtyard, housing a Signorelli two-sided altarpiece (ring the bell and ask the custodian to flip it for you).
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9. San Domenico
The church is distinguished by a faded Fra Angelico over the entrance, a Signorelli Madonna inside, and a massive, glittering 15th-century altarpiece that is entirely intact (a rarity).
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10. Tomba di Pitagora
The dirt hillock covering this 3rd-century BC tomb was removed long ago. The stone chamber was erroneously dubbed “Pythagoras’ Tomb” when somebody confused the mathematician’s hometown, Crotone in Calabria, with Cortona.
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The area of Cortona is really rich in art and culture. Best month to travel there are from May to October. The whole of May and June medieval celebrations take place in Cortona and even more in neighbour Castiglion Fiorentino which is definately more vibrant. Students from the University of Texas travel to Castiglion Fiorentino for a trimester to study art. The medieval town counts over 30 local artists who work together with Artuscany. www.artuscany.net
about 11 months ago
Check out the Tuscan Sun Festival which takes place in August in Cortona. Some of the biggest names in classical music, as well as art, literature, food and wine tasting. Great atmosphere and really worth looking at! The website is www.tuscansunfestival.com.
about a year ago
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