🇮🇹😉HISTORY OF CORTONA Originally an Umbrian city, it was conquered and enlarged by the Etruscans, who called it Curtun. During the 600s BC, it joined the Etruscan League. Cortona eventually became a Roman colony under the name Corito. The origin-legends and ancient names of Cortona are described by George Dennis.In the final stages of the Gothic War (535-554), Cortona was sacked and destroyed. Cortona became a Ghibellinian city state in the 13th century, with its own currency. From 1325 to 1409 the Ranieri-Casali family successfully ruled the town. After being conquered by Ladislaus of Naples in 1409, Cortona was sold to the Medici in 1411. In 1737, the senior branch of the Medici line went extinct and Cortona came under the authority of the House of Lorraine. Following the Italian Wars of Independence, Tuscany Cortona included became part of the Kingdom of Italy. The foundation of Cortona remains mixed in legends dating to classical times. These were later reworked especially in the late Renaissance period under Cosimo I de’ Medici. The 17th-century Guide of Giacomo Lauro, reworked from writings of Annio da Viterbo, states that 108 years after the Great Flood, Noah entered the Valdichiana via the Tiber and Paglia rivers. He preferred this place better than anywhere else in Italy, because it was so fertile, and dwelt there for thirty years. One of Noah’s descendants was Crano, his son who came to the hilltop and, liking the high position, the fine countryside and the calm air, built the city of Cortona on it in 273 years after the Great Flood. The prevailing character of Cortona’s architecture is medieval with steep narrow streets situated on a hillside at an elevation of 600 metres (2,000 ft) that embraces a view of the whole of the Valdichiana. From the Piazza Garibaldi (still referred to by the local population by its older name, Piazza Carbonaia) is a fine prospect of Lake Trasimeno, scene of Hannibal’s ambush of the Roman army in 217 BC (Battle of Lake Trasimene). Parts of the Etruscan city wall can still be seen today as the basis of the present wall. The main street, via Nazionale, is the only street in the town with no gradient, and is still usually referred to by locals by its older name of Ruga Piana. nside the Palazzo Casali is the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca, displaying items from Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations, as well as art and artefacts from the Medieval and Renaissance eras. The distinguished Etruscan Academy Museum had its foundation in 1727 with the collections and library of Onofrio Baldelli. Among its most famous ancient artefacts is the bronze lampadario or Etruscan hanging lamp, found at Fratta near Cortona in 1840 and then acquired by the Academy for the large sum of 1600 Florentine scudi. Its iconography includes (under the 16 burners) alternating figures of Silenus playing panpipes or double flutes, and of sirens or harpies. Within zones representing waves, dolphins and fiercer sea-creatures is a gorgon-like face with protruding tongue. Between each burner is a modelled horned head of Achelous. It is supposed that the lampadario derived from some important north Etruscan religious shrine of around the second half of the fourth century BC. A later (2nd century BC) inscription shows it was rededicated for votive purposes (tinscvil) by the Musni family at that time.The Museum contains several other important Etruscan bronzes. Etruscan chamber-tombs nearby include the Tanella di Pitagora (halfway up the hill from Camucia): the fine masonry of the tomb stands exposed, but was formerly covered by an earth mound. two at the foot of the hillside at Il Sodo, and a complex in Camucia itself. Il Sodo I, the ‘Grotta Sergardi’ commonly known as ‘Il Melone’, contains a passage, opening into parallel passages leading to square inner chambers, within a mound about 640 feet (200 m) in circumference. Although the chambers are paved with slabs of masonry the walls are constructed of pieces of rock roughly-formed into bricks.This tomb can be visited. Il Sodo II contained a large stone-stepped altar platform with carved sphinxes devouring warriors. The town’s chief artistic treasures are two panels by Fra Angelico in the Diocesan Museum, an Annunciation and a Madonna and Child with Saints. A third surviving work by the same artist is the fresco above the entrance to the church of San Domenico, likewise painted during his stay at Cortona in 1436. The Diocesan Museum houses also a group of work by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, known as Lo Spagnuolo, called Ecstasy of Saint Margaret. The Academy Museum includes the very well known painting Maternità of 1916 by the Cortonese artist Gino Severini. There are also examples of the works of Pietro da Cortona. The villa Bramasole built in 1504 was used as the location for the 2003 film Under the Tuscan Sun. Two of the churches in Cortona are prime examples of two different principles of Renaissance construction. The Church of Santa Maria Nuova, 1554, a central square-plan Renaissance church. Santa Maria Nuova, built by Giorgio Vasari in 1554, is a church of square ground-plan. It is on a Greek cross plan and is surmounted by a main cupola which was only finished during the 17th century, a primary example of such a centralised design. Inside are four large columns which supports the lantern of the cupola. At the sides the four arms of the cross branch out covered with barrel-vaults, while four small cupolas arise in the spaces of the angles. Among the works of art are the Nativity by Alessandro Allori, San Carlo Borromeo che porta la Comunione agli appestati by Baccio Ciarpi, and the Annunciation by Empoli. The church is in poor condition, and is not open for sightseeing or inspection. The Fortress of Girifalco (16th century) rises over the church of Santa Margherita, It was built by the grand-duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de’ Medici for defense on some ruins of ancient Etruscan, Roman and Medieval fortifications. The trapezoidal-shape building has four bulwarks. Recently restored, it is today the seat of exhibitions and of the “Centro Studi e Documentazioni sulla Civiltà Contadina della Valdichiana e del Trasimeno” (Documentation centre on the Rural Civilization in Valdichiana and around Lake Trasimene). Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio was built in 1484-1515 by Francesco di Giorgio Martini in connection with an alleged miracle-performing image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “Madonna del Calcinaio”.This image was originally painted on the timbers of a lime-vat, a calcinaio, hence the name. In cases like this, where the strength of the Renaissance ideal of centralized building-design is applied to a nave-construction, the eastern part of the building was generally developed into a centralized form, that would then be crowned with a large cupola, foreshadowing the cathedral at Florence. The restored interior has unusually high arches.

@yansu4394

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking your time to post the history of Cortona. ~one of the story of many 🇮🇹

@sandrajohnson9926

2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting about Noah's descendent. It's a beautiful city. I just watched an older episode of Rick Steves, tour guide, in Cortona. Breath taking views. Thank you for all the history of this remarkable city. I've only been to Northern Italy at Lake di Garda.

I keep re-watching the intro, it's a beautiful composition Al. Nice work out there, I love it!

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bub, glad you liked it 💛

Thank you so much...the video and historical narrative you gave of Cortona was excellent. Grazie di cuore!❤️

Very nice video. We plan to stay in Cortona for 3 nights next September.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

How fun! Hope you have a lovely time 😄

I was in Cortona in 2001. Most magical place ever.

I’m going to Cortona in May! I enjoyed your tour of the area. Hearing the historic background was a nice touch and gave the video more meaning for me. I’m also a photographer and liked your perspective and composition. Fun that you took your mom and dog with you!

@AlyssaMaeFriend

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I hope you have a great time, it's such a cute town

This was lovely in every way. Thanks for such a nice tour.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thanks for the video ! Looking forward to going there soon.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy your time in beautiful Cortona!

lovely video! The added historic infos got blended so well with the editing.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 😄

Wonderful visit with your mom! You cracked me up with the chocolate on the face moment; I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out. Thanks again for another great video.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

hahaha well, I noticed!! Thank you, Michael 😄

I love the mother-daughter chocolate cone moment 🥰 ~ great video

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 😊

Thank you Alyssa for bringing us with you in such a beautiful area! The chocolate moment was adorable (and memorable 😅)! Keep it on!

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

😅hahaha thank you Sandro!!!

@sandroconforto6035

2 жыл бұрын

Prego, non c'e' di che Alyssa! 😄

Grazie for this video, I will be in Cortona next week!

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Yay! Have fun!!

Nice job and great drone footage.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Beautiful 🙏

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙌

Cortona is amazing. We were there yesterday and it’s impossible to encapsulate the enormous beauty within a camera lens

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

True haha it is difficult to capture!

@cumberlandrealtygroup3746

Жыл бұрын

@@AlyssaMaeFriend you did a great job though

Well Alyssa, I certainly see where you got your beauty from! More of God's masterpieces, which he sprinkles generously throughout the world!

Jordan Schlansky brought me here

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Love that guy

辻井伸行さんのコルトナの朝という音楽から来ました😂 とても美しい街ですね

I have been watching your videos for so long now, what a thrill to be with you on this trip! I will admit, flying the drone was a little scary because I was afraid we would lose it in such a hilly area. But you are a pro! Watching the footage is like watching a movie. Thanks for including me (and Lily) in the journey!

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

I've dreamt of having more adventures with you. Happy you're finally here ❤️

❤️✌️

Nice video 👍

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@HasnainRaza-yj3vh

Жыл бұрын

Welcome...

what is that fun "going on a holiday with my friends" song???

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

I got it on Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referral/xpvpp6 It's called "Bring my friends" by Tigerblood Jewel

Can you please let me know if Cortona is mostly cash based or will travel cards be enough.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 ай бұрын

This is for all of Italy nowadays- most places accept card, but always bring a little cash to be safe. Cash is preferred for smaller purchases like coffee or gelato

I'm new on your channel,so do u live in Italy?! If yes,have you ever seen Jordan schlansky around? 🤣🤣 I'm a big fan of him and he loves cortona! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷 😀

@AlyssaMaeFriend

11 ай бұрын

Heyy welcome!! haha no, I havent 😅

Did you take trains from Orvieto to Cortona?

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

We went from Rome to Cortona

How many nights would you recommend there ?

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Ай бұрын

1 or 2, but depends on your pace of travel

How to get here from Florence? Going solo and considering driving but scared (I drive automatic in the US). Never been to europe or drive in europe.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

3 ай бұрын

I wouldn't drive, if I were you! From Florence you can take a train and then a bus up to Cortona. If you drove, you'd have to bother with finding parking and it just sounds like a nightmare to me!

@kuyanshaqbe

3 ай бұрын

Where can you buy the ticket for that bus to Cortona? Can you just pay before boarding the van looking bus?… thanks for this video, will definitely add Cortona in my next Italy trip.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 ай бұрын

You can buy tickets inside a tabacchi - kind of like a little convenience store that cells cigarettes and other things

@kuyanshaqbe

2 ай бұрын

@@AlyssaMaeFriend thank you 😊

Does have a beach?

@AlyssaMaeFriend

11 ай бұрын

Nope

Is it nice at Christmas?

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Hey! I would immagine it to have lights hanging down all the streets, nativities and other decorations, and maybe there is a little market, although I’m not sure!

How about enrolling a gym? after, say, 1 hour of workout, I guess also pilates/dancing activity or whatever you'll feel a lot better and your mood will improve if you do that properly

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Do I seem in a bad mood in this video? Haha 😂

You really work hard but the views is not much enough.i think you missing something in your vlogs.btw i am also coming to italy for next semester in salerno university for master in computer science.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Music is horible

You mention you’re a photographer can you drop your email here? I have a question for you.

@AlyssaMaeFriend

Жыл бұрын

Hey Debbie, you can find it in my 'about' section here on KZread!