AN ETRUSCAN VILLAGE AND MORE
CORTONA
If yesterday we talked about Montepulciano today is the time of cortona.
The biggest and most important city of the Valdichiana in province of Arezzo is Cortona.
HISTORY
The village is known from the antiquity as one of the most important etruscan center (Lucumonia) because his strategical position was ideal for control the surrounding lands. In IV century B.C. were built the etruscan walls (today visible). An important document was found here called Tabula Cortonensis which show a rare etruscan inscription. In 450 d.C the goths occupied Cortona who lost his importance. During the medieval age was fought a long battle between guelfs and ghibellines at the end the second one won with the help of Siena.
From the XV century was dominated from the republic of Florence. An important year is the 1727 when was founded the Etruscan Accademy of Cortona for research and study the etruscan civilisation which collected most important writers, historical of that age.
At the end is important to remember the killing of ten people from the german army for revenge the death of two their men. The civilians was killed with an explosive.
WHAT TO VISIT?
That's first of all an etruscan village and there are many tracks all around the modern city and you can't immagine sites more interesting.
The archeological park is divided in some area:
One of this is Tanella di Pitagora: a monumental building in a cylindrical shape on the park of cypresses dating on II century B.C. Another similiar is Tanella di Angori bigger than the first one but today we can see only the base.
The necropolis on mounds si called Melone del Sodo and consist in two monumental tombs.
The first one is an artificial mound of archaic age. Inside there is a dromos and five rooms while the second one consists in two tombe: one with a cover with pseudo-vault and the second where was found a rich corredo of oreficeria. Near of one this tomb there is a big monumental altar accessibile with a stair decorated with reliefs and sculptural groups.
Another interesting ritrovamento is Tomba di Mezzavia which was digged on tuff in locality il Passaggio near Mezzavia. The tomba is with single cell with four niches and an inscription dating to the ellenistic age.
In another locality Camucia there is a tumulo found by Francois with two tombe.
That's not the end because on the top of the locality Ossaia there is also a villa of repubblican age with colourful mosaics with three living phases.
And don't forget to visit the extraordinary Museum which enclose all the ritrovamenti of the Valdichiana area. The most valuable finding are the etruscan chandelier, the Tabula Cortonensis there is also an egyptian area and the eighteenth-century library.
Near to the museum there is Teatro Signorelli a very elegant architecture which offer a good variety of events and theatral shows that you could assist.
Cortona is that and more indeed the center is fascinating with a medieval touch.
There are many churches: First of all the medieval cathedral of XI century with romanic facade on right there is a porch build on five hundred century and a robusto bell tower. The interior is characterized from the tipical renaissance style, there are many capolavori of arts with opere of Pietro da Cortona.
On the hill top there is my favourite church Santa Margherita with a panoramic terrace all over the Valdichiana it was built in three-hundred beautified with frescos but the current church was rebuilt in XIV century. Inside there is a funeral monument of Santa Margherita.
Near of there there is also the Castle of Girifalco.
You can't leave Cortona without have seen Eremo delle Celle where lived San Francesco it's a convent built in 1211 from the saint himself. It's a place really suggestive and mistic.
If you go up from the valley you surely have seen a big church with a cupola that is Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio which has a legendary history, inside there is a paint Madonna con il Bambino on the parete where was tanned leather called “calcinaio”. The story tell about miracles from that the shoemakers decided to build the church. The work was affidato to Martini one of the main architect of reinassance.
WHAT TO DO?
There are many interesting event which deserve to be assist.
On 8 may there is the offer of candles and after the procession to the church of Santa Margherita if you prefere an historical rievocation there is the marriage of Casali-Salimbeni which is commemorated every year on 5 june.
Don't miss a medieval challenge between districts here is celebrated like Giostra dell'Archidado they fight with Crossbow remembering the party for the marriage of Casali-Salimbeni.
All the valdichiana is the land of steak and more specific Chianina steak and that you can taste on 14-15 August.
WHERE TO EAT?
Cortona is full of restaurant so you will no have difficult to find one but which is the most traditional or the most particular?
How about tradition my tip is to go to the Loggetta which is on the municipality square on the terrace in front of. At summer you can also have a lunch on the panoramic terrace. Here you can find traditional dishes with a good wine selection and the price is not bad.
If you like to try a most particular restaurant which different tastes there is il Preludio an elegant place near the town square going down from the streets. The menu has a lot of variety and the chef propose special combinations as pasta with cacao or dessert with salt. The price is quite expensive but i think that could be a good experience.
Near the theater there is also a good pub which offer a selection of beer also local.
Another unconventional restaurant is l'Ambrosia which recall an etruscan cave in a suggestive location ideal for a romantical dinner.
That's all of course is just a little taste of a city which would deserve to be visit in more days but with this guide you can have an idea and starting understand the town.
Thank you and Good Travel
If yesterday we talked about Montepulciano today is the time of cortona.
The biggest and most important city of the Valdichiana in province of Arezzo is Cortona.
HISTORY
The village is known from the antiquity as one of the most important etruscan center (Lucumonia) because his strategical position was ideal for control the surrounding lands. In IV century B.C. were built the etruscan walls (today visible). An important document was found here called Tabula Cortonensis which show a rare etruscan inscription. In 450 d.C the goths occupied Cortona who lost his importance. During the medieval age was fought a long battle between guelfs and ghibellines at the end the second one won with the help of Siena.
From the XV century was dominated from the republic of Florence. An important year is the 1727 when was founded the Etruscan Accademy of Cortona for research and study the etruscan civilisation which collected most important writers, historical of that age.
At the end is important to remember the killing of ten people from the german army for revenge the death of two their men. The civilians was killed with an explosive.
WHAT TO VISIT?
That's first of all an etruscan village and there are many tracks all around the modern city and you can't immagine sites more interesting.
The archeological park is divided in some area:
One of this is Tanella di Pitagora: a monumental building in a cylindrical shape on the park of cypresses dating on II century B.C. Another similiar is Tanella di Angori bigger than the first one but today we can see only the base.
The necropolis on mounds si called Melone del Sodo and consist in two monumental tombs.
The first one is an artificial mound of archaic age. Inside there is a dromos and five rooms while the second one consists in two tombe: one with a cover with pseudo-vault and the second where was found a rich corredo of oreficeria. Near of one this tomb there is a big monumental altar accessibile with a stair decorated with reliefs and sculptural groups.
Another interesting ritrovamento is Tomba di Mezzavia which was digged on tuff in locality il Passaggio near Mezzavia. The tomba is with single cell with four niches and an inscription dating to the ellenistic age.
In another locality Camucia there is a tumulo found by Francois with two tombe.
That's not the end because on the top of the locality Ossaia there is also a villa of repubblican age with colourful mosaics with three living phases.
And don't forget to visit the extraordinary Museum which enclose all the ritrovamenti of the Valdichiana area. The most valuable finding are the etruscan chandelier, the Tabula Cortonensis there is also an egyptian area and the eighteenth-century library.
Near to the museum there is Teatro Signorelli a very elegant architecture which offer a good variety of events and theatral shows that you could assist.
Cortona is that and more indeed the center is fascinating with a medieval touch.
There are many churches: First of all the medieval cathedral of XI century with romanic facade on right there is a porch build on five hundred century and a robusto bell tower. The interior is characterized from the tipical renaissance style, there are many capolavori of arts with opere of Pietro da Cortona.
On the hill top there is my favourite church Santa Margherita with a panoramic terrace all over the Valdichiana it was built in three-hundred beautified with frescos but the current church was rebuilt in XIV century. Inside there is a funeral monument of Santa Margherita.
Near of there there is also the Castle of Girifalco.
You can't leave Cortona without have seen Eremo delle Celle where lived San Francesco it's a convent built in 1211 from the saint himself. It's a place really suggestive and mistic.
If you go up from the valley you surely have seen a big church with a cupola that is Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio which has a legendary history, inside there is a paint Madonna con il Bambino on the parete where was tanned leather called “calcinaio”. The story tell about miracles from that the shoemakers decided to build the church. The work was affidato to Martini one of the main architect of reinassance.
WHAT TO DO?
There are many interesting event which deserve to be assist.
On 8 may there is the offer of candles and after the procession to the church of Santa Margherita if you prefere an historical rievocation there is the marriage of Casali-Salimbeni which is commemorated every year on 5 june.
Don't miss a medieval challenge between districts here is celebrated like Giostra dell'Archidado they fight with Crossbow remembering the party for the marriage of Casali-Salimbeni.
All the valdichiana is the land of steak and more specific Chianina steak and that you can taste on 14-15 August.
WHERE TO EAT?
Cortona is full of restaurant so you will no have difficult to find one but which is the most traditional or the most particular?
How about tradition my tip is to go to the Loggetta which is on the municipality square on the terrace in front of. At summer you can also have a lunch on the panoramic terrace. Here you can find traditional dishes with a good wine selection and the price is not bad.
If you like to try a most particular restaurant which different tastes there is il Preludio an elegant place near the town square going down from the streets. The menu has a lot of variety and the chef propose special combinations as pasta with cacao or dessert with salt. The price is quite expensive but i think that could be a good experience.
Near the theater there is also a good pub which offer a selection of beer also local.
Another unconventional restaurant is l'Ambrosia which recall an etruscan cave in a suggestive location ideal for a romantical dinner.
That's all of course is just a little taste of a city which would deserve to be visit in more days but with this guide you can have an idea and starting understand the town.
Thank you and Good Travel
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