Take In The View Of Cortona From Girifalco Fortress

Girifalco Fortress in Cortona was built by Gabrio Serbelloni, nephew of Pope IV and Francesco Laparelli. Cortona was an important military town from the establishment of the government of Cosimo I Medici until the subjection of Siena in 1555 and the fort was built in the 16th century to bolster the military strength of the city though the site has much older origins as a defensive structure. However, though the building is fascinating historically and as an example of military architecture, its greatest selling point is probably the view that it offers over Cortona and the entire Valdichiana area from the top of the tower. If you're visiting Cortona, this is the best way to introduce yourself to the town.

Find a villa with pool in Cortona, climb the tower and begin your holiday in style.

The original foundations of the fort were from an Etruscan construction which was later used by the Goths, Lombards, Romans and then re-purposed in the Middle Ages until the sacking of 1258. Over the years, it underwent numerous alterations beginning in 1266 and continuing into the 16th century.

The current fortress dates back to the second half of the 16th century and was part of a plan for strengthening the defences of the State ordered by Cosimo I de' Medici.

The fortress has a trapezoidal plan, with four bastions and gunners' posts dedicated to St. Margherita, Santa Maria Nuova, St. Egidio and St. Giusto which were inserted into the medieval additions.

The town also benefited from the new restructuring that allowed it to defend from the pressure of the Sienese and of the State of the Church, having its borders not far from Cortona's. Despite the intentions behind its construction, in reality, it was almost never used for military purposes.

After the war with Siena between 1554 and 1555, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany enjoyed a long period of peace making the fortress redundant.

Thereafter, the fortress was then purchased by the Commune of Cortona in 1770 and became the base of a small garrison that acted as a town police, only. It has been recently restored, it is today the seat of exhibitions and of the Centro Studi e Documentazioni sulla Civiltà Contadina della Valdichiana e del Trasimeno (Centre for Study and Documentation of the Rural Civilization in Valdichiana and around Lake Trasimeno).

Be sure to climb right to the top when you visit and to take in the amazing view over Cortona and the stunning town that the fortress defended and allowed to thrive so beautifully.