In the heart of Tuscany, in the province of Arezzo, Cortone (Cortona in Italian) is located at an altitude of 500 metres in the heart of a lush, unspoilt landscape typical of the Italian countryside. Cultural, exotic and above all exciting, this historic city will dazzle you with its many faces.
Perched at the top of the hill of San Egidio planted with cypress and olive trees, the village of Cortona proudly overlooks Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. Famous for its incomparable views of the teeming nature of Tuscany, the medieval city of Cortona is one of those destinations that is hard to forget. Unavoidable in the history of the country, it is one of the twelve Etruscan cities of the "Dodecapolis", like Cerveteri, Perugia and the mythical Voltera. To discover its most beautiful secrets, we recommend that you first opt for a walking tour of its historic heart. It is centred around Piazza Repubblica and Piazza Signorelli and contains a large, very large number of monuments and ancient buildings, most of which date back to the Middle Ages. But some sites still date back to earlier times, such as the Etruscan wall, made of huge stones: more than 2 kilometres long, this wall is one of the oldest witnesses to the history of Cortona. The Palazzo Comunale of Cortona (13th century) is worth a visit, as are the church of Santa Chiara, the Hospital of Mercy (known for its Renaissance portico), the Gothic church of San Francesco and the church of San Nicilo, Palazzo Casali (home to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy of Cortona) or Palazzo Fierli-Petrella... All these places are inseparable from the history of the village, which you can discover as you stroll through its cobbled streets. Small but charming, this splendid village is a real marvel for the eyes. Take the time to get lost in the shade of its old stones to discover all the treasures it contains, such as the Abbey of Farneta, Porta Santa Margherita, Porta Colonia, Porta Bifora, but also Porta Sant-Agostina, Porta Berarda, the Palazzo Tommasi, the Monastera di Santa Chiara, and climb to the heights of the city to contemplate the magnificent panoramas from the Duomo of Cortona or from the Basilica of Saint Margaret, famous for its dazzling Renaissance paintings.
Hike along the green curves of the plains that line the Val di Chiana to the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Particularly prized for its walking routes, it is a small, bright blue Eden in the heart of the region's fertile valleys. You will be able to swim, stroll on its banks, sail on its waters, ride a bike, but also raft, slide, beach volleyball, pedal boat, canoe...
Finally, it is impossible to stay in Tuscany without tasting the delights of its flavours. Tuscan wines, tomato and olive oil dishes, focaccia with grapes, pasta (such as Pici al Ragu or pasta with truffles), cold meats, "bistecca alla fiorentina", fish and country hams (such as Tuscan prosciutto) will satisfy the taste buds of the finest gourmets.