Things to see and do Cortona

A medieval political heart, the vital centre of the city and today a major tourist attraction, the main square of the Republic of Cortona is home to important monuments. Among them, the palace of the Captain of the People, also known as Palazzo Passerini, was built in the 13th century, originally as a tower house, then transformed into a palace in the 16th century. As for the communal palace (palazzo Comunale), now the town hall, it dates back to the 12th century and was enlarged several times, particularly in the 16th century. The staircase and its square bell tower date from the 16th century. Unfortunately, the municipal palace cannot be visited, it is used for certain ceremonies, such as weddings. But we can tell you that it houses a Council Chamber famous for its Renaissance fireplace and 19th century frescoes. Finally, the last building that stands out in this square of the Republic is the Laparelli Palace, built by Cristofanello in 1533, and located at the end of Via Guelfa. The square, almost like a balcony, overlooks the neighbouring Signorelli piazza.

In the past, the piazza della Repubblica was the meeting point between the cardo and the decumano:the two main streets of Roman urban planning that constituted the north-south and east-west axis of the ancient Cortona respectively. This meeting point formed the ancient forum where, as you know, Roman citizens gathered to discuss business, whether commercial, political, economic, judicial or religious.

Located on the famous and popular Via Nazionale, also known as "Rugapiana", this gallery exhibits in a room dating from the 11th century pictures of Cortona and its region, taken by local photographers. The most surprising thing is surely the well ( "pozzo" in Italian, from which the gallery takes its name) which is located in the middle, probably of Etruscan origin. Watercolours, prints, engravings and ceramics are also on display, and pretty hand-bound notebooks are on sale.