Cortona
is Etruscan and almost as old as the hills on which
it perches, surrounded by its vineyards and olive groves.
It looks out over the wide and fertile Valdichiana plain,
which stretches away to the western horizon and the
mountains of Siena, amongst which Mt. Amiata, the highest
mountain in Tuscany, stands out clearly. Lake Trasimeno
is visible to the south.
The city's past importance is suggested by its massive
encircling walls, in which huge Etruscan stones are
clearly visible.
|
|
|
Its
steep 'Iadder' streets effectively inhibit car use
while its jostle of houses, convents and numerous
churches all blend together, as if part of a nature.
Its solid grace recalls medieval or renaissance Italy,
while more recent centuries seem to have made almost
no impact at all.
Cortona proudly conserves its illustrious past
and has many precious relics in its churches and museums.
St. Francis came here and a monastery was built here
in his name by Brother Elias; St. Margaret, .
|
|
|
whose
mummified body can be seen in the church named after
her, lived and died here Luca Signorelli and
Pietro Berrettini were both born here and Fra Angelico
painted an 'Annunciation' here, while the church of
St. Maria del Calcinalo, designed by Francesco di
Giorgio Martini is an outstanding renaissance church.
Its history, its natural beauty and its art treasures
make Cortona one of the most interesting cities
in central Italy
|
|
