Why Visit Cortona?: Cortona is one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany and is featured in Francis Mayes book Under the Tuscan Sun (see Books about Tuscany). Cortona's medieval streets are pleasant to wander and you'll be rewarded with fabulous views of the countryside along the medieval town walls. Cortona has remnants of its pre-Roman Etruscan past, Renaissance artists Luca Signorelli and Fra Angelico, and Baroque artist Pietro di Cortona.
Cortona Location: Cortona is in the eastern part of Tuscany (see Tuscany map). Cortona is very near the border of the Umbria region and Lake Trasimeno. The closest cities are Arezzo in Tuscany and Perugia in Umbria.
Transportation to Cortona: Cortona is reachable by train from Rome, Florence, or Arezzo. There are two stations, both below Cortona, at Terontola-Cortona or Camucia-Cortona. From either train station, a bus will take you to Cortona, arriving at Piazza Garibaldi, just outside the historic center. Cortona can also be reached by bus from nearby towns and villages in Tuscany. If you're driving, from the A1 take the Valdichiana exit. Then take the Siena-Perugia motorway, exit at Cortona-San Lorenzo, and follow signs for Cortona.
Cortona Orientation : The road to Cortona from the valley starts near the Melone Etruscan tombs. On the way up the hill you'll pass more Etruscan tombs, olive groves, and the Renaissance Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio. If you're driving, look for parking as soon as possible when you're near the top of the hill. If you're arriving by bus you'll arrive in Piazza Garibaldi, a prime view spot. From the square, walk along Via Nazionale, Cortona's only flat street, to Cortona's center, Piazza Republica and Piazza Signorelli. Along the way you'll pass Cortona's tourist office at Via Nazionale, 42.
Food and Wine in Cortona: Cortona has good restaurants serving typical Tuscan food. A good place for outdoor seating is La Locanda nel Loggiato, Piazza di Pescheria 3, with balcony seating overlooking the piazza. For nouvelle Tuscan food in a Renaissance palazzo setting try Preludio, Via Guelfa 11.
Enoteria, on Via Nazionale, is a good place for wine tasting. Also on Via Nazionale is the Antica Drogheria with wine, grappa, and health products of the Camaldolesi monks. You'll find picnic supplies in several stores in town and on Saturdays there's a market in Piazza Republica. On August 15 is the Sagra della Bisteca (beef steak festival).
Cortona Hotels and Accommodations: User reviewed and rated Cortona hotels can be viewed on Venere (book direct). The top user rated hotel is Borgo Il Melone Locanda Hotel, a new 4-star hotel with pool near Cortona. Inside Cortona's walls, the top rated Venere hotel is Hotel Villa Marsili, a 4-star hotel with frescoed bedrooms and great views. Casa Bellavista B&B, in the hills of Cortona, is the highest rated bed and breakfast on Venere.
Agriturismo Le Celle is in the hills near Le Celle di Cortona (see below). Cortona's youth hostel, Ostello San Marco, has good facilities in an old convent on Via Maffei up the hill from Piazza Republica.
Above Cortona: Le Celle di Cortona, a Franciscan convent, holds the spartan cell where St. Francis stayed when he preached there in 1211. It's about a 45 minute walk through the woods outside Cortona's walls. The church and gardens can be visited for free.
The 16th century Medici fortress above Cortona has great views over Lake Trasimeno. Follow Via S. Margheritta uphill past lovely gardens to the fortress.
Cortona Attractions:
- Piazza della Republica - The 13th century town hall and clock tower are on one of Cortona's main squares, Piazza della Republica. There are cafes nearby for enjoying the piazza life.
- Duomo - Cortona's Renaissance cathedral, built on the site of an Etruscan temple, has an 11th century facade and has beautiful 16th and 17th century paintings inside.
- Museo dell' Accademia Etrusca - In the 13th century Palazzo Pretorio on Piazza Signorelli is the Etruscan Academy Museum. Besides good Etruscan artifacts, the museum holds Roman remains, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, 15th century ivories, and a small Egyptian exhibit. It's closed on Mondays.
- Museo Diocesano - This small museum, also closed on Mondays, holds outstanding art works and a decorated Roman sarcophagus.
- San Domenico - Near the public gardens, the church of San Domenico has a completely intact 15th century altar piece and works by Fra Angelico and Signorelli.
- San Francesco - The Church of San Francesco, built in 1245, holds a Pietro di Cortona painting and the reamins of Signorelli.
- Cortona's Walls - Cortona's Etruscan walls are incorporated into the medieval walls that surround its historic center. Inside the walls, you can wander the narrow medieval streets of Cortona's historic center. Near the walls, you'll often be rewarded with fantastic views of the valley below.
