Comune in Tuscany, Italy
Photo: Sklein999 at German Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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Built in 1730 by the German architect Marco Tsucher; today the court of law.
Built at the beginning of the 13th century and reconstructed around 1275 by Master Tuto. The balcony on the facade was added in the 16th century. The councilors' hall dated from the original building. It has a roof with painted beams and a 16th-century chimney piece.
Palazzo Passerini
Originally the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo was built in the 13th century. Its tower was destroyed later. The interior of the palace was renovated by Cardinal Silvio Passerini, who owned the palace from 1514 onwards. It appears to be as a vacation rental location.
The palace is the work of Giovanni Battista di Cristofano Infregliati, called Cirstofanello. It was begun in 1533. Today it is the seat of the Banca Populare of Cortona.
The original palace was built in the 14th century. It was the seat of the Casali family, lords of Cortona until 1409. only a few walls of the original building remained. The Renaissance front from the beginning of the 17th century is the work of Filippi Berretini. Today the palace is the seat of the city library, the historical archive, the Etruscan Museum and the Etruscan Academy. The courtyard of the Casali Palace is the best photo stop in Cortona.
Passerini Palace
The Renaissance building was erected on order of Cardinal Silvio Passerini (1469-1529), who was commissioner of the Pope for Umbria and envoy to Perugia. It was designed by Giovan Battista from Perugia. It is reported that the painter Luca Signorelli fell from the scaffolding while painting the frescoes for the cardinal's chapel and died here. Today the Palazzone is part of the Scuola Normale di Pisa.
Duomo di Cortona
Built above the old church of Santa Maria, erected in the 10 and 11th centuries, the front of which was altered by Nicolo Pisano around 1260. Traces of the first building can still be found on the front of the cathedral. The new building dates from the 15th cent. Although the cathedral has been rebuilt many times it has not lost the harmony of the original building.
This church was built in the 2nd half of the 16th cent on plans of Cristofanello in Late Renaissance style. It was finished in the 17th cent and is located in a splendid position at the base of S.Egidio Mount. It has a painting of the Nativity of Mary by Allori.
Fransiscan monastery on the slopes of Mount S.Egidio. The cell which was inhabited ba Saint Francis has been preserved.
Old abbey, erected in the 9th and 10th century AD by the "Black" Benedictine monks from Monte Cassino on the foundations of a Roman temple. One of the columns of pink granite originates from Aswan in Egypt and has a Roman capital with a human figure with horns on the head. In the center of the crypt is a splendid monument similar to a small temple. There is also a Roman stela with the inscription "fourth daughter of Erennius Pompeius libertus" (liberti being freed slaves).
Built in the 18th century on an oval plan with an outside staircase.
Built in the 12th century in Gothic style, The altar-piece has a painting of the Coronation of Mary by Lorenzo di Niccolò Gerini (16th cent) with six angels practising music and ten figures of saints, in the center, above it the Trinity, the annunciation, the adoration of the magi and four events from the life of St.Benedict. The altar on the right hand side in the apsis has a painting of Holy Virgin with angels and saints by Luca Signorelli (1455-1523). On the left wall is a wall painting by Beato Angelico (15th century).
Gothic building erected after 1425 by the Franciscan monk Elia who is also buried in the church. Traces of the original building can be seen at the main entrance, at the side windows and the frescoes which are attributed to the painting school of Buffalmacco (15th century). The side altars were added in BAroque times. The marble tabernaclen on the high altar is a work of Bernardino Ricci (17th century) and is believed to contain a reliquiary of the Holy Cross that was brought from Constantinople by the monk Elia. The inner part of the tabernacle is a Byzantine piece of art dating from the 10th century. The third altar on the left hand side has a painting of the Annunciation, the last and unfinished work of Pietro Berretini (also called Il Cortona).
Completely restored in the 19th century. The silver shrine containing the body of the saint was executed after drawings by Pietro Berretini. In the church there is also a wooden crucifix dating to the 13th cent.
Small Romanic church from the 15th century
Baroque building of 1720.
Erected in the 13th century in Gothic style, altered in the 17th cent in Baroque style. It contains the painting Our Lady with Saints by Berrettini (1596-1669). The cloisters were added in the 17th cent,
Dating back to the 12th century, but frequently re-built. Frescoes of the Umbrian school from the 13th century.
A building from the 13th century founded by a countess ("Contessa") as a monastery, today a school for hotel and tourism management.
Romanic-Byzantine church which was already in existence in 1000, presumably the work of Meginardo by order of bishop Teobaldo of Arezzo.
MAEC - Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona
Among the exhibits are a slate slab of Polymnia, an Etruscan lamp of the 5th cent BC, a Bronze votive hand, a statue of the two-headed god Janus, a tryptich of Our Lady and Saints by ‘’Bicci di Lorenzo’’ (16th century), an Egyptian wooden boat of the dead from the 12th dynasty (2000 to 1788 BC).
Museo Diocesano
The Diocesan Museum is in the original Church and Oratory of Gesù. The Church was built by the Lay Company of Buon Gesù between 1498 and 1505 and was made up of an oratory on the lower floor and a church on the upper floor. The church had a single nave with three altars with three masterpieces by Luca Signorelli. Among the most important exhibits are: an Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Lamentation over the dead Christ by Luca Signorelli, a Shaped Cross by Pietro Lorenzetti and the Passerini Tapestry, vestments made between the beginning of the 16th century and 1515, commissioned by Cardinal Silvio Passerini to be worn by Pope Leo X de’ Medici during his visit in Cortona.
An annual event in summer. Festival with concerts performed by the world’s most acclaimed musical artists, exhibitions with leading visual artists, discussions with top literary figures and culinary delights with the finest chefs and winemakers.
5-, 10- and 20-day one teacher to one student intensive Maya 3D animation courses at 3D3 World at the Castello Neve. Training is by industry professionals and all meals and accommodation are included.
http://www.ilfrantoiocortona.com
Traditional riding ground with wooden stables accommodating over thirty horses. Horseback riding lessons, activities and trekking in the nearby woods are arranged daily. Rides are planned according to riding ability and your personal preference. You will also be able to assist in the daily tasks of the manège and in the training of horses. Outdoor dinners are arranged.
Wine bar/restaurant in the historical centre of Cortona.
Casamontana is composed of two houses, Il Fungo and La Castagna. They are both in a panoramic position in the hills 800 m above sea level, but close to Cortona. The houses are surrounded by woods overlooking the Valdichiana with views of Lake Trasimeno. The houses are built of stone with terracotta floors. The two houses have central heating, air conditioning, satellite TV, a laundry, barbecue, garden, and ample parking space. Small and medium sized dogs are permitted in the properties.
The accommodations were converted from the old mill that dates from the 15th century. It consists of four separate holiday apartments, each totally independent, yet sharing a common entrance with an old stone staircase. All apartments are equipped with satellite TV, a refrigerator, independent heating, and Wi-Fi. Horseback riding activities and hiking in the nearby woods are arranged daily. Guests, including children, will be able to take horseback riding lessons with professional BHS instructors. You will also be able to assist in the daily tasks of the stables and in the training of horses. Cortona is a 5-minute drive away and may also be reached on foot walking ancient paths.
Pratovalle country house is an old barn restored to four comfortable apartments with air conditioning, dishwasher, oven, and satellite TV. Around the house there is a park with olive trees, cypresses and other long-stemmed plants where it is possible to relax and eat. Big swimming pool.
Ancient stone farmhouse, restored in keeping with its original character is in the countryside at 350 m above sea level and is just 8 km from Cortona. It is in the middle of lovely lawns, sunflower, corn, wheat fields, and woods.
The completely restored farm house overlooks a beautiful valley.
http://www.pierle.com
An elegant and aristocratic house of the 1600s, it has been restored. The hotel is quite peaceful.
B&B €12.50, Family €16.50/2-4 person, Meal €9. Beds: 80 (in room for 2-4-6 or 8). Opens March 15-Oct 15 except with group reservation.
Poggio Sant’Angelo, near the Abbey of Farneta, one of Tuscany’s most charming abbeys. The building is laid out over two floors: the ground floor housing the reception area and the restaurant and the first floor featuring six bedrooms, one suites, two double bedrooms and a large reading room with open fireplace and comfortable sofas. An annex just outside the villa houses a wine-bar; a large pool enjoying a wonderfully sunny position, is in the adjoining park surrounded by century-old trees.
When you arrive at Borgo Il Melone, you will behold a vast stretch of bright green fields, with an area of almost 9 acres.
In the Piazza Garibaldi in the centre of Cortona overlooking the Val di Chiana and the Lake Trasimeno.
With its refined lounges, and finely furnished, frescoed bedrooms, welcome to the cosy atmosphere of one of the town's most elegant residences. Besides the charm of its history, the building enjoys a scenic position. Villa Marsili is inside Cortona's ancient walls. 27 rooms, all equipped with modern comforts.
The farmhouse suites hotel is divided into eight suites, Tuscan style, surrounded by 7,000 m² of land used for lawn, gardens, olive trees. Parking, a children's play area, a swimming pool surrounded by nature and history, and sun terraces with views of Cortona.
Rugapiana is surrounded by Etruscan walls, overlooking the valley and the lake Trasimeno.
Inside the 30,000-m² park there is a 100-year-old redwood (sequoia) tree that dominates the Italian gardens that are lined with spaces and relaxing paths. The hotel consists of three independent residential units: the central villa dating back to 1700 with the attached private chapel, and the two side annexes, Il Villino and La Limonaia.
Elegantly furnished and carefully restored ground floor apartments in an ancient building in the historical centre of Cortona. Each apartment has a wonderful view over the Chiana Valley and Trasimeno Lake, and is in a quiet area with public parking 50 m away.
Three double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Guests have full use of the indoor common rooms such as the library, the sitting rooms and the dining room. There are also the outside spaces; the park, the orchard with its views of Cortona, the garden with its 180° views toward Montepulciano, Mount Amiata, Sinalunga and Monte San Savino, the swimming pool.
A small boutique hotel/B&B. 5 guest bedrooms, all with luxury bathrooms and 2 suite apartments for 2–4 guests. Heated swimming pool.
Weekend €350-700/3 nights, weekly €700-1,200/7 nights.
Via Gramsci, 113 (S.S.71 Umbro Casentinese)
By train
The closest train station is "Camucia-Cortona", with direct trains from Florence and Rome or "Terontola-Cortona" with direct trains from Florence and Venice.
By car
Take the Autostrada del Sole highway (A1), exit at the Valdichiana toll-gate and get on the Siena-Perugia speedway, direction Perugia. Get off the speedway at the Cortona-San Lorenzo exit.
By bus
There are public buses from nearby cities such as Arezzo or Terontola. The ticket costs €1 per journey, sold at tobacco shops (Tabacchi) and should be validated on the machine inside the bus.
The best way to explore Cortona is on foot as the town is very small. Driving in Cortona is very difficult as the streets are steep and narrow. Parking inside town is almost impossible.
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