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 Cortona
The city that Virgil wanted founded from the mythical Dardano.
The city subsequently became Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman, and then in 1200, it became a free commune under Uguccio Casali.
The medieval history of Cortona ended with its annexation first to the Florentine Republic and then to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
There are more than 2000 years of history found in Cortona, which makes it one of the most unique and fascinating cities in central Italy.
Cortona is built on the crest of Monte Sant-Egidio and is surrounded by a massive ancient city-wall that for the most part corresponds to or is made up of walls constructed during the time of the Etruscans. Looking from the top of the city walls, one can see one of the finest and widest views in Italy; the wide fertile plain of the Valdichiana, with the mountains of Siena at the far end and the great shining expanse of Lake Trasimeno in the distance. Large parts of the early Etruscan city walls are visible outside and inside the Porta Montanina (Gate of Montanina), the walls below the Cathedral as far as the Porta S. Maria (Gate of St. Mary) and the area near the Porta Ghibellina (Gate of Ghibelline). The city wall, worn by centuries of wind and weather, has an elongated rectangular form and encircles the perimeter of Cortona. Ancient city gates open out of the city wall onto various roads winding up from the valley below.
Other remains of Etruscan and Roman buildings can still be seen within the city walls; the Etruscan drain near the Porta S. Maria, the Roman-Etruscan drain and Etruscan barrel vault near the Porta S. Agostino, and the Bagni di Bacco Roman baths in the area of the Church of St. Anthony (Chiesa di S. Antonio). Evidence of the Etruscan civilization survives among the impressive religious and secular buildings from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and beyond. The Chiesa di S. Cristoforo (Church of St. Christopher) is erected on the ruins of an ancient Romanesque parish church.
The architecture of Cortona is often a mixture of periods and styles, revealing layers of history. The Gothic churches of S. Francesco and S. Domenico, the fifteenth century San Niccolo, and the late sixteenth century Santa Maria Nuovo represent typical architectural conventions of their time. The outlying Santa Maria della Grazie al Calcinaio, built beginning in 1483 according to plans created by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, is a noble building of rare elegance, simplicity and harmony. The city's steep ancient streets open up to breathtaking views of the Valdichiana (Chiana Valley) and reveal an urban fabric where houses are built in the light-colored local stone with their upper floors jutting out on wooden corbels. These private dwellings alternate with imposing public buildings such as the Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo Pretorio. The Palazzo Pretorio has a Renaissance facade and houses the respected Etruscan Academy as well as a valuable, well- known library.
Cortona's painting tradition was dominated by the Sienese tradition throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The dramatic Crucifix panel by Pietro Lorenzetti, now in the Museo Diocesano, is an excellent example of the influence of the Sienese school. The Museo Diocesano houses a number of important paintings, the most well-known is Fra Angelico's Annunciaton. The 16th century church of San Niccolo houses fine paintings by the 15th century painter Luca Signorelli.
The flowering of artistry has been constant throughout Cortona's history. A native Cortonese, In the 20th century, a native Cortonese, Gino Severini-the great cubist, futurist and modernist painter, friend of Picasso, Modiglini, Braque and Matisse-returned to Cortona in the years following WWII and created a series of mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross, which line the steep street of Via Santa Margherita.
Your may find more infos at the url's:
cortonaweb.net
www.cortona.net
www.accademia-etrusca.org
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