The val d’Orcia
30 December 2022Montepulciano
30 December 2022
Against the background of the Val di Chiana, a town with a unique atmosphere.
To this day, the charming Etruscan town of Cortona conveys to the visitor a sense of peace and tranquility.
The town preserves intact a medieval charm which combined with its ancient cultural heritage makes it one of the most popular destinations for travelers from all over the world.
Cortona conceals small architectural gems of rare beauty rich in history. The tour amongst the many churches, palaces, shops, walls, will enable you to discover a fascinating town with a unique atmosphere.
Easily visitable on foot, we suggest you start your visit of Cortona from the splendid historical centre.
Starting from the core and heart of life in Cortona: piazza della Repubblica The historical buildings facing the square are of unquestionable beauty, among these the Town hall dating back to the XII century, with its ample stone steps and in front the Palazzo del Capitano from the XIV century.
Numerous and important worship sites which are worth a visit, above all the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio, planned by Francesco di Giorgio Martini in 1485. Inside, the chapels host important paintings inspired by the iconography of Mary.
In the historical centre there are the Church of San Cristoforo and the Church of San Marco with an external mosaic by Gino Severini. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta also known as Duomo (cathedral) and the Basilica of Santa Margherita, the patron saint of Cortona: here her body is still preserved.
The Franciscan hermitage Le Celle dates back to the XIII° century.
Amidst the woods just outside Cortona, it is a place so beautiful that it fascinated Saint Francis of Assisi. Believers or non-believers, the atmosphere that surrounds this place makes the soul vibrate and lifts the spirit. In each stone there is the same sense of peace that Saint Francis found when he stopped in Cortona to preach in 1211 and stayed in one of the grottos that opened on the rocky walls together with some of his followers.
