Cortona

Cortona (Lat. Crotona), a town of Central Italy, 69 miles SE. of Florence by rail. It stands 2130 feet above sea-level, looking down on the Valle di Chiana and the Trasimene Lake, and is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with mighty cyclopean walls of Pelasgic origin, Etruscan and Roman remains, numerous handsome palazzi, a fine cathedral, and half a dozen churches. These are rich in paintings by many old masters, including Luca Signorelli (q.v.) and Pietro Berrettini or da Cortona (1596-1669). The Accademia Etrusca (1726) has its seat here; its museum contains a multitude of Etruscan sarcophagi, vases, &c. Pop. 3605.