Located midway between the Adriatic and Ligurian Seas, Cortona is one of the most engaging of the Tuscan hill towns. Central to the town is the Piazza della Republica, the social and commercial hub of the city. In one direction from the piazza, the town's ancient brick and stone buildings climb steeply to a Medici fortress. In the other, they crowd down the hillside, forming a cascade of well-weathered tile roofs. In between lies a proliferation of late medieval and renaissance churches, monasteries, convents, and palatial houses. From vantage points overlooking these roofs can be seen broad stretches of the picturesque valley known as the Val di Chiana. The name of one of the main thoroughfares -Via Dardano- is a reminder of Virgil's claim that Cortona was founded by Dardanus, son of Zeus and Electra and the mythical founder of Troy. Modern historians believe that Cortona was originally a fortified Umbrian city that passed into the hands of the Etruscans between the eighth and seventh centuries, BC. It was later granted Roman citizenship, and having bounced back and forth between political masters, was eventually sold to the Florentines by the King of Naples in 1411. Thereafter, it followed the fortunes of the Grand-duchy of Tuscany. In more recent times, the environs of Cortona have been set as a backdrop in several famous movies, including Under the Tuscan Sun, and Life is Beautiful.  For more information on Cortona, visit the official site: cortonaweb

  Paintings by Gino Severini (1883-1966) of Cortona
  left: Litografia.  below: (2) Composition, (3) Fruit-piece with a violin