Cortona (AR)
Cortona is a town in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany.
It was founded by the Etruscan who called it Curtun in their language and the remains of this ancient Tuscan population are still visible and perfectly combinated with the typical medieval architecture of this town with steep narrow streets situated on a hillside (altitude 600 metres), embracing a view of the whole of the Valdichiana. Do not forget to visit the "Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca" (Etruscan Academy Museum): among its most famous ancient artefacts is the bronze "lampadario" or Etruscan hanging lamp (IV century BC) and the "Museo Diocesano" (Diocesan Museum) in which it is possible to admire "L'Annunciazione" by Beato Angelico and "La Deposizione" and "La Comunione degli Apostoli" by Signorelli. The Church of St. Maria delle Grazie, the Palazzo Comunale (Municipality Palace - XIII century), the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (second half of XIII century), Palazzo Mancini-Sernini, well-known as Cristofanello (XVI century) and the town gates (Porta Sant'Agostino, Porta Ghibellina, Porta Santa Maria, Porta Colonia, Porta Montanina).