Once you've admired the splendid view of the entire Val di Chiana, you can spend a day at Cortona retracing its history, traditions, and savors. There's no doubt that the atmosphere of Cortona - the narrow streets paved with stone, the city Palace and many historical buildings - confer to the town it's very enthralling appearance.

The origins of the town are Etruscan, which can be witnessed in the magnificent collection of artifacts at the Museum of the Etruscan Academy. It will show you, in 16 rooms, remarkable Etruscan archeological findings, such as the Etruscan lamp (4th century B.C.) and the funeral furnishings (including a number of jewelry pieces) from the Melone II Tomb in Sodo.

There is also an important Egyptian collection that includes pieces which date back as far as 2000 B.C. Among the works of art are noted paintings by Luca Signorelli, Pinturicchio, Bartolomeo della Gatta, and a room dedicated to Gino Severini that houses his "Motherhood" painting (1916).