Learn About Cortona
Cortona is a small hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy. In early history, this region was known as Etruria, and Cortona was such an important Etruscan center that the existence of ancient settlements is still visible today, with walls dating back to the 5th century BC! The town is particularly picturesque due to its predominantly medieval architecture, consisting of ancient palazzos (palatial buildings), narrow cobbled streets, small artisan shops, classic Tuscan trattorias (restaurants), and views of the Chiana Valley.
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Sports
Soccer, called football in Italy, is the most popular sport for playing and watching. Volleyball is also very popular. The sport of bocce was developed in Italy and is now played around the world. Cortona has amateur sports leagues for soccer, volleyball, and bocce.
Pinocchio
You know the famous story. A piece of wood is turned into a puppet called Pinocchio, and the puppet comes to life in the book The Adventures of Pinocchio. This story is the first internationally known work of Italian children’s literature and has been adapted for film 18 times, including 2 movies. Disney and Netflix are both in the process of producing new versions.
La Befana
January 6 is a national holiday in Italy, celebrating the Christian festival Epiphany. In Italian folklore, on the eve of the Epiphany, La Befana—an old woman who looks like a witch—travels around Italy on her broomstick, bringing presents and sweets to good children.
Signorelli
Luca Signorelli (1441–1523) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Cortona, noted in particular for his ability as a draftsman and his use of the technique of foreshortening. His massive frescos of the Last Judgment (1499–1503) in Orvieto Cathedral are considered his masterpiece. Many credit Signorelli with influencing Michelangelo and Raphael. Cortona celebrated the 500th anniversary of Signorelli's death by bringing together his works from around the world in a special exhibit. As part of the celebration, Carmel teens participated in a local art contest, and the top three artists' work was displayed at the MAEC Museum in Cortona. First place: "Adrienne's Silken Glare" by Ella Lipnik. Second place: "Traditions" by Megan Xia. Third place: "Wintertide in Tuscany" by Ismail Kheiri.
Flag
The flag represents the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, an ancient Italian state that existed for 290 years—between 1569 and 1859. Cortona was a part of this state.
