Built on a spur of the Monte Sant'Egidio, Cortona is surrounded by powerfull walls,smoothed down by centuries end winds, along which the ancient gates open in correspondence to the roads coming up from the valley. The visitors looking araund from the topo walls can admire one of the widest and harmonius views in Italy. The rich and immense Val di Chiana, limited on the horizon by the Siena mountains, foremost the Amiata and the Cetona; and closer up the wide expanse of the Trasimeno lake.

Cortona's Etruscan power is witnessed by the still standing imposing segments of the city walls: Several Etruscan tombs were found in the valley.

Of high price is the civilian architecture with Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Splendid the many churches.

CASENTINO FOREST PARK

The speldid “ Casentino Forest Park” is the Heart of one of the most actractive landscapes in Tuscany, where spirituality and natural beauty meet in a context of sublime tranquillity, there are small medieval hamlets, monasteries and Renaissance sities, and provides an ideal starting point for excursions through the area.

• A Castle Conti Guidi

• B Castle di Romena

• C Castle di Porciano

• D Castle di San Niccolò

• E Castle di Chitignano

• F Palagio Fiorentino

The majestic Sanctuary of San Francesco, a site of constant pilgrimage over the centuries and religious centre known all over the world