The city, that Virgil said was founded by the mythical Dardano, was probably an extremely old Umbrian fortress, conquered by the Etruscans between the 8th and 7th century BC. The power the Etruscans possessed in Cortona is shown by the mighty enclosed wall they built, perfectly reconstructible with a circumference of 2.280 m, of which there are still enormous remains.

Many tombs have been discovered in the surrounding countryside. Among the most famous are the Tanella of Pitagora, from the 5th century BC, the Melone of Camucia and the Melone of Sodo. There are many archeological findings preserved in the Etruscan room of the Museo di Palazzo Casali with other precious objects and works, such as the famous bronze chandelier from the 5th century BC

Cortona is characterized by steep block-paved streets, in an architectural mass dominated by serene stone. Among the most important Medieval and Renaissance edifices are the Palazzo Civico which dates back to XIII century; the Palazzo Pretorio, which houses the Etruscan Accademy Museum, an art gallery with paintings by Pinturicchio and Luca Signorelli and a priceless library, famous amongs students all over the world.

Noteworthy are such sacred edifices as the 13th century Church of Sant’Agostino, the Church of San Francesco, the Abbey of Farneta, the Cathedral, the Church of Gesù, and the site of the Museo Diocesano, with the famous “Annunciation” by Beato Angelico. Nearby lies the Convento (monastery) of Cappuccini with its famous “cells”, erected next to the cell in which St. Francis lived. Cortona a city of art and culture and the homeland of the painter Luca Signorelli and Pietro da Cortona.

Throughout the year the city is also the seat of numerous exhibitions, fairs and shows, such as the Worked Copper Fair (April), the Giostra dell’Archidado (May), the Jazz Music Festival (July), the Exhibition-Fair of Antique Furniture (August).