Cortona, Italy



JCortona, located in on the South East edge of Tuscany, 50 miles from Florence, is a crown jewel in Italian Hill towns. She floats above the Valdichiana plain on terraced slopes of olive groves and vineyards.


Links to Cortona Information & Map

TERC Guide to Italy

The two main Piazzas of Cortona. In the foreground is Piazza della Repubblica, with the town hall--Palazzo Comunale 13th c.). Piazza Signorelli is next and houses the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca.


The patron saint of Cortona, Saint Mark (San Marco) is portrayed in a mosaic by Gino Severini (1883-1966) who was part of the Futurist movement. You can see this beautiful mosaic on the church with the same name.

The church of Saint Nicholas (San Niccolo) which dates from 15th century


Be sure to allow time for the wonderful up hill stroll to the loftiest church in Cortona, Santurio di Santa Margherita.  Peek into the alcoves in the wall for impressive mosaic art.  Be awed by the increasingly magnificent views until you reach this breath taking neo-Romanesque sanctuary.

One of many fantastic vistas as you walk to the Basilica of Santa Margherita. 


The Basilica of Santa Margherita, has gone through many "reconstructions" since its origins in the 11th century. It is said to be built on the site of an Etruscan temple. Santa Margherita di Laviano died in one of the cells in the back of the cathedral on Feb. 22, 1297. Most of the current structure dates to a remodel by Guiseppe Castelucci in 1895.     Did you notice the Fortezza (Medicea) in the distance?

Santa Margherita - interior (Santa Margherita di Laviano's body is in a windowed casket on the altar)



Getting to Cortona  directions

Links:

Getting to Cortona

Train or Car to Cortona

Accommodations

Museums

Historical Information

Map of Cortona

Reader's Report on Food & people of Cordona

Cortona Itinerary


Photos by:   Lisa Ragan

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