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Cortona is a wonderful medieval village. It
stands on a buttress which reaches the height of
651 metres above the sea level, on the East
sideline of Valdichiana, between the Tyhrrenian
and the Adriatic coast and separates Toscana
from Umbria. Amidst vines and olive groves,
Cortona looks out over one of Italy's largest
and most harmonious panoramic landscapes.
The town's buildings and churches bear
witness to its Medieval and Renaissance past,
very well represented by the walls surrounding
the Museum of the Etruscan Academy, inside the
settlement. Many palaces from the 9th century ,
belonging to the wealthy high-medieval
aristocracy from Cortona, are very interesting,
such as Palazzo Quintani and Palazzo Casali, one
of the town's most important and noble buildings.
Important to mention also, the valuable St
Francis Church, of the 12th century, built in
1247 by Frate Elia in a Gothic style. Waiting to
greet the visitor on the southern hillside slope
is the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie al
Calcinaio, a Renaissance masterpiece by the
Sienese artist Francesco di Giorgio Martini
(1439-1502). |
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