Tuscany Holidays

Cortona @ Birthplace of many great Tuscan artists

At present an important agricultural town in Valdichiana, in ancient times Cortona was one of twelve most important Etruscan cities that formed the Dodecapoli (a confederation of twelve Etruscan cities), together with Florence, Arezzo, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia, Vetulonia and others. When the surrounding area turned into a swamp, Cortona experienced a long period of decay, from which it recovered only in the 12th-13th centuries, when it thrived as a free commune. Arezzo, Siena and Florence fought to establish their power over Cortona and Florence eventually conquered the town in 1411.

Once an important artistic centre of Valdichiana and of the whole Tuscany - here worked famous artists, such as Beato Angelico -, Cortona was the birthplace of Luca Signorelli and Pietro da Cortona.