Cortona

Cortona’s long history starting from Etruscan, to the Renaissance till the the present makes this historical town a tourist destination of great interest.

In Cortona one is content just to look at the beautiful antique buildings immersed in tranquillity where every stone has a story to tell.

In Cortona all one has to do is to look out over the Etruscan walls to enjoy the beauty of the open panorama surrounding the town.

Cortona has an atmosphere all its own, magical and mystical, that can be fully appreciated visiting the Fortress or else the nearby “Eremo of the Celle” founded by Saint Francis of Assisi.

The character of the town facilitates social intercourse: nightlife is very pleasant enjoing a traditional meal, taking part in one of the special events or simply walking through the serene streets of the historical center.

Art lovers and archeological enthusiast can satisfy their curiosity by visiting Cortona’s two important museums: the “Diocesano”, which includes works by Luca Signorelli and the “Etruscan Academy”, which has recently added important Etruscan findings.

The “Accademia Etrusca e del Comune” is located in the ancient Palazzo Casali, also housing a valuable library of“Codici Miniati” and the “Feltrinelli Foundation”. The “Feltrinelli Foundation” organizes seminars and international political studies in this palazzo.

During spring and summer numerous folkloristic andcultural events are held in Cortona, such as “La Giostra dell’Archidado”, the “Cortona Dance Vintage Festival” and the Tuscan Sun Festival, which is rapidly growing to be one of the greatest international summer highlight for music lovers. During the winter season there are numerous theatrical representations and films.

A number of excellent restaurants offer a wide gastronomical choice from traditional Tuscan dishes to groundbreaking and experimental cooking, all accompanied by the fine wines produced in Cortona, which can now claim the prestigious DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) label.

Golfers can use the excellent nearby 18-hole golf courses. Trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding are possible on the Apennine hills that are close by.

From Cortona it is easy to take day trips to such tourist attractions as are offered by Florence, Rome, Siena, S. Giminiano, Montepulciano, Pienza, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi and Lake Trasimeno.

For all of these attributes and many more, Cortona has become a very attractive destination for English and Americans who enjoy the lovely atmosphere of its hills and often make Cortona their second home.  A recent example is the writer Frances Mayes, whose book "Under the Tuscan Sun" surely helped to increase the popularity of Cortona in the English-speaking world.

How to get there

Cortona is located in southern Tuscany, equidistant between Rome and Florence. It can be reached by the “Autostrada del Sole” (Highway A1), by train (on the line Rome-Florence-Milan, station of Camucia), or by plain using the airports of Rome, Florence and Pisa. By train it takes 1 hour and twenty minutes to reach Florence and two hours to reach Rome. Travelling by car use the Highway A1, exit “Valdichiana” and then take the highway towards Perugia.

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