Perched at a height of 500 meters, the charming and noble town of Cortona dominates the entire Valdichiana, offering its visitors a commanding view that extends out into the horizon. The city is magnificently positioned between Arezzo, Perugia, Florence, and Siena, and sits right between the Chianti region and Umbrian valleys, which make it a strategic spot for anyone who wants to experience the heart of Italy by taking brief and relaxing day trips to nearby areas.
The foundation of the city gets a bit lost in a web of various legends, which date back as far as the classical era. Some ancient Greek writers, including Aristotle, claim that upon leaving Troy some of Dardano’s descendents came to settle in Turrenia, now Tuscany, and these people were the Etruscans. Pythagoras and Ulysses were two of these Greeks that came to Turrenia, and so to Cortona. According to legend the latter, after his return to Ithaca and the slaughter of the Proci, came to rest in Cortona until his death, and it is here that he is believed to have been buried. There are many other legends regarding the foundation of this historical town, and we invite those passionate in history to go further into depth as it is quite interesting. However, here we will cite the version that is accepted by modern day history, which claims that Cortona was originally an Umbrian city, then conquered and expanded by the Etruscans. The town thus became one of the most powerful of the twelve lucumonie, or Etruscan capitals, which included Perugia and Arezzo. Evidence of this power and strength during the Etruscan era can be seen in the perimeter of the city walls and in the tombs of the Etruscan princes, all archaeological finds that lead us to imagine a rich, prosperous city, flourishing with artistic and industrial activity. Around 310 B.C., when most of the Etruscan lucumonie had been conquered by Rome, Cortona made a pact with the powerful city, avoiding war but inevitably entering into its orbit. In those same years, this splendid valley was the stage for one of the most epic battles in Roman history—the disastrous defeat of the Carthaginians, led by Hannibal, that ended along the banks of Lake Trasimeno. After centuries of obscurity in the Dark Ages, Cortona reappears in the 13th century as a free city-state and is visited in 1211 by Saint Francis. The following years proved to be an entanglement of wars, alliances, internal conflicts, brutal defeats as well as glorious victories, all evidence of this small city’s historical importance. Finally in the 14th century, Cortona entered the realm of the Republic of Florence and became one of its border territories.
Apart from a scattering of Renaissance buildings such as the Palazzo Casali, the prevailing style in the town is Medieval, and together with the narrow, steep streets it creates quite an enchanting atmosphere. In order to fully enjoy the beauty of Cortona, you must arm yourself with patience and slowly work your way up and through the hill town in order to unearth and take in each and every detail that it has to offer. There are majestic stone walls enclosing and protecting the city, with numerous gates of entry that are all well maintained. There are also the notable Medieval churches of San Francesco and San Domenico, as well as the churches of Santa Maria Nuova and San Niccolò, in which many fine 
works of art are kept. This pleasant walk through centuries of history culminates with your arrival at the Sanctuary of Santa Margherita, which you reach by coming up the Via Crucis , a mystical upward path which has the Stations of the Cross by Severini (20th century) and connects the city center to the church towering above. The church of Santa Margherita is dominated only by the Fortress of Girifalco, located just above. Once here, there is an absolutely breathtaking view that awaits, which will make you forget about the long, tiring walk uphill!
Also worth a visit is the MAEC museum, one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy, full of Etruscan masterpieces and much more. Many interesting sites lay beyond the city walls. The Etruscan tomb Tanella di Pitagora (2nd century B.C.) is an absolute must see, as well as the Etruscan tombs of Sodo (6th and 7th centuries B.C.), the Roman church of Sant’Angelo, and the beautiful temple Santa Maria delle Grazie of Calcinaio from the 1500’s. Lastly, one of the most suggestive and enchanting sites of the area is Le Celle, the beautiful convent founded by Saint Francis.
There are many events that take place throughout the year, including the Archidado Joust in May, the “Under the Tuscan Sun Festival” during the summer, the Beefsteak Festival (14th and 15th of August), and the Antiques Fair in September.
And you definitely shouldn’t leave Cortona without sampling the true Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick, mouth-watering Chianina steak, accompanied by a glass of local, full-bodied Sangiovese wine.
