Tuscany, like a fine wine, has been some time in the making...
From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces.
Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. Walkers enjoy the mountain paths, cyclists the rolling hills, summer vacationers the sea coast and islands. Students come to learn the beautiful Italian language and culture.
There is a lot to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Certainly most should start with Florence, then continue on to Siena and Pisa. The roll call of cittą di arte, cities of art, is daunting: Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Lucca are all striking. The more you come to know the region, the more extraordinary Tuscany appears. Cortona: Art city of Tuscany, 494 m. above sea level, 22,500 pop.
Cortona lies on a hill in a panoramic location among olive groves, dominating the nearby plain and Lake Trasimeno. Before was Etruscan and Roman settlement , nowadays, it is one of the most beautiful art cities of Tuscany and Italy. Large cobblestones pave the narrow streets and small piazzas. Along each are tiny restaurants and shops selling everything from art to ceramics to jewelry to leather goods and clothes. Nothing in Tuscany will impress and astonish the traveller mor ethan his walks, climbs,rather, up and down Cortona through a maze of narrow precipitous streets between the sombre palaces of hewn stone founded on the naked rock, the cliffs and boulders that a hundred generations have been powerless to wear away.
Must see sights:
Piazza della Repubblica hosting the 12th C's Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), with its crenellated tower; and the "Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo" (12th C).
Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca: founded in 1727, is hosted in Palazzo Casali. It boasts rare ancient Etruscan finds and Roman remains, including the famous big bronze chandelier adorned with satyrs and sirens (4 C b.c.) In addition, it preserves several Egyptian and Roman works of art, mosaics, coins, medals, terracottas, bucchero works, medieval objects etc., as well as, many paintings, of note is "Madonna with St. Giovanni" by Pinturicchio, "Nativity" by Luca Signorelli, "Madonna with Saints" by Pietro da Cortona and "Madonna with Saints" by Lorenzo di Bicci
Duomo: Romanesque built between the 15th and 16th centuries above a pre-existent Roman parish church of which it is possible to see some remains. It has renaissance interiors. The Cathedral has a three nave interior with interesting works of art, especially in the apse. On the third altar on the left there is a famous Nativity by Pietro Berrettini. There is also a beautiful marble ciborium attributed to the Cortonese, Ciuccio di Nuccio set into the end part of the same wall. In the eboir there are some interesting pantings which are attributable to the works of Signorelli. There is a 14th century Pietą in the end chapel on the right. The Mosaic by Gino Severini of a Sacred Heart on the third altar on the right is also worth looking at.
Museo Diocesano: It is one of the most important museums of Tuscany, thanks to the richness of the works on display, among which are several masterpieces of Italian painters. Of particular interest are some works by Pietro Lorenzetti (Madonna with Angels), Luca Signorelli (Deposition), Beato Angelico, (Annunciazione) , Madonna with Saints a triptych by Sassetta, a 2nd century Roman sarcophagus and the famous reliquary Vagnucci (1457). It also preserves some frescoes by Vasari and a beautiful painted crucifix by Lorenzetti.
The Gothic church of San Francesco preserves some pictures and a valuable reliquary of the Byzantine school.
San Nicolo': Elegant 15th C Romanesque-style church among cypress trees with very graceful portico. The loggia on the left is made up of six slim columns with corinthian capitals as bases. On the main altar there is the Gonfalon, one of Luca Signorelli's masterpieces, depicting the Deposition of Jesus in the Sepulchre, which was painted around 1510. On the left-hand wall there is another fresco by Signorelli, which was plastered over in 1768 and discovered in 1847. It is of The Madonna and Child with saints. (a sight not to be missed)
Sanctuary of Santa Margherita: The Church rises from an enchanting location on Cortona's hilltop, and from the church square visitors can enjoy a beautiful panorama. On the high altar it preserves the mummified body of St. Margherita da Cortona and a nice 12th century ligneous crucifix. From the church square visitors can enjoy a beautiful panorama.
Fortezza Medicea: On the hilltop emerges the trapezoidal mass of the fortress, with four large bastions. It is a beautiful example of military architecture of the 1500's. Nowadays, it is also known as the "Fortezza del Girifalco" - Very panoramic.
Outside the city walls: Madonna del Calcinaio, elegant Renaissance church built in 15th century. It is shaped like a Latin cross with octagonal dome. Inside there is the miraculous venerated image of "Madonna del Calcinaio" (14th C)
The "Mostra Mercato Nazionale del Mobile Antico" takes place in Cortona from the Saturday before the last Sunday of August to the second Sunday of September.
It is one of the most important antique furniture fairs in Europe.
Giostra dell'Archidado: - historical recalling of 1397 's archery contest between the Quintiere of Cortona in celebration of the wedding of Francesco Casali & Antonia Salimbeni in that year. The Joust of the Archidado, which dates from the Middle Ages to honor St. Mark and St. Margaret with magnificent costumed pageantry, drummers, buglers, amazing flag-tossing competitions and symbolic presentations of gifts to the town and church hierarchy. The Archidado takes place in Piazza Signorelli, the next Sunday after the holiday of the Assumption.
Sagra della Bistecca (Beef Steak Festival ) Date of the event: 14 - 15 August
The "Sagra della Bistecca" is a gastronomic event, which celebrates the meat of the famous Valdichiana veal. It takes place outdoors, in the comfortable gardens of the Parterre. Every year more and more people go to Cortona and taste thousands of "bistecca", an inch thick charcoal-broiled steak with a bone.
The "Porcini Mushroom Festival" (late in August)
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