Cortona is one of the most ancient European cities, situated on a hill not far from the Tiber Valley and Trasimeno Lake. A stronghold during the Iron age, it became one of the main Etruscan cities (750-250 B.C.), a Roman colony (250-100 B.C.) and then a Roman city centre up to fall of the Empire (476 A.C.). During the Medieval period, Cortona was a Ghibelline town which had to face several struggles against the neighbouring Guelf cities. In the 14th Century the city was under the control of the Sienese Casali family and then under the Florentine Republic.
Cortona gave birth to famous artists such as Luca Signorelli (1445-1527), Pietro Berrettini (1620-1697) and Gino Severini (1879-1960).

Among the most important things to see in Cortona we suggest The Etruscan Museum which features rare archaeological finds and paintings from different periods, the Museo Diocesano, where visitors can admire the famous Annunciation by Beato Angelico and the masterpieces of the most important artists born or active in Cortona, along with several churches, palaces and medieval streets. At the top of the hill rise the huge Church dedicated to St.Margaret (the patron saint of Cortona) which still houses her remains, and the Girifalco Fortress, built during the Medici reign. Not far from the city is the Franciscan Monastery, founded by St.Francesco of Assisi, immersed in nature and silence.

Cortona offers to tourists many services such as hotels, farm holidays, restaurants, arts and crafts shops, banks and cafes. The city hosts many contemporary art exhibitions, classical music events ( such as the Tuscan Sun Festival) and an important medieval pageant called the “Archidado”.