Cortona - The city Virgil wanted
founded by mythical Dardanus, was probably a fortified Umbrian
city, passed to the Etruscans between the 8th. and 7th. centuries
BC.. Of these it became an important Lucumony.
During the social war it was granted
Roman citizenship, after which ascertainable information is
lacking. Cortona flourished during the Comuni period and under
the domain of the Ranieri-Casali.
Sold to the Florentines by the king
of Naples in 1411, it followed the destinies of the Grand-duchy
of Tuscany.
Built on a spur of the Monte Sant'Egidio, Cortona is surrounded
by powerful wails, smoothed down by centuries and winds, along
which the ancient gates open in correspondence to the roads
coming up from the valley. The visitor looking around from
the top walls can admire one of the widest and harmonious
views in Italy: the rich and immense Val di Chiana, limited
on the horizon by the Siena mountains, fore most the Amiata
and the Cetona; and closer up the wide expanse of the Trasimeno
lake.
Cortona's Etruscan power is witnessed by the still standing
imposing segments of the city wails. Several Etruscan tombs
were found in the valley. We will mention the Tanella di Pitagora,
the Melone in Camucia and the Meloni at Sodo. Very rich archaeological
findings are exhibited in the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca
in Palazzo Casali, foremost the renowned Etruscan lamp of
the 5th century BC.
Cortona gave birth to the painters Luca Signorelli and Pietro
Berrettini, known as Pietro da Cortona. Gino Severini was
also born here. Exceptional is the pictorial patrimony of
this art city preserved in the Museo Diocesano an the famous
«Annunciazione» by Beato Angelico.
Where is Cortona: is located in the south of Arezzo
province, on the border with the province of Siena and the
Umbria region
How to reach Cortona:
From Arezzo, direction south on the S71. Cortona is 28 Km
Far.
From Siena, direction west Bettolle on the road called Siena
Bettolle. After Bettolle you will find the signs for Cortona
which is 20 Km far
From Florence, on the highway A1 reach the exit of Bettolle
and follow as above
Nearby: Visit Arezzo, Castiglion Fiorentino, Montepulciano,
Pienza
Distances: Arezzo 28 Km - Florence 120 Km - Siena
70 Km
Correct name is Cortona
Common mistakes are Courtona,
Cottona, Corona, Cortonna, Gortona
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Cortona
- Arezzo - Tuscany Italy
Cortona 
