Cortona: Troy’s Mother and Rome’s Grandmother

Find out why locals call this quiet hillside town “the mother of Troy and the grandmother of Rome.” Although the story is mostly based in myth and legend, it’s a captivating tale, and it gestures to the town’s real ancient Etruscan origins. You’ll find evidence of those origins all over town, and, decorated with mythological figures, they’re just as fantastic as fiction. You’ll also learn about the site where an epic battle took place between the Roman army and the army of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. And don’t forget about the beautiful Renaissance art—Cortona gave birth not only to Troy but the pioneering painter Luca Signorelli.