Fortezza del Girifalco
Medici fortress on the hill of Cortona with a keep, bastions and a garden, with a view over the Valdichiana, hosting events, exhibitions and a bistro.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On the hill above Cortona a fortification already stood between the 6th and 5th centuries BC, probably within the Etruscan walls. Written sources describe a strong rocca in 1258; during the wars with Arezzo it was conquered and sacked several times. In 1411 it passed to Florence along with the whole city.
From 1527 the Florentine Republic began restructuring the complex, linking it to the city walls and shaping the pentagonal central courtyard. From 1556, under Cosimo I de' Medici, four bastions and a ravelin were built to designs by Gabrio Serbelloni and Francesco Laparelli, an architect from Cortona who was also active in Malta. The fortress was never used in war.
In 1766 it was disarmed and the municipality used it as a prison; after 1860 timber and stone were stripped from it. In the 20th century it housed a colony for girls, daughters of Italian emigrants, and was occupied by German and then Allied troops. Restorations in 1959 and 1969 made the keep and the courtyard visitable, while in 2010 the restoration of the Santa Maria Nuova bastion, equipped with an external goods hoist, was completed. Today the fortress is open to the public, hosts events, the Cortona On The Move festival and a bistro.
Highlights
- Courtyard and keep (Palazzo del Capitano) over three floors
- Walkway with views over the Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno
- Bastions of Santa Maria Nuova, Santa Margherita, Sant'Egidio and San Giusto
- Large garden inside the walls
- Bistro in the fortress with a bookshop of photography and art
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Comune di Cortona (gestione: Associazione Culturale ONTHEMOVE)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
The site does not state which categories are entitled to a reduced ticket.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Only part of the site is accessible: an external lift leads inside the walls, giving access to the gardens and the ground floor of the Palazzo del Capitano. Toilets are available.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking outside the fortress.
Address: Via di Fortezza, Cortona.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Bistro in the fortress (wine, culture and food) with a small bookshop of photography, art and Tuscan heritage. Free Wi-Fi in almost all areas, with registration by SMS; the service is described as still being set up.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and events on request; educational section for schools. Prohibited: leaning over the walls, running, smoking in enclosed spaces and leaving the marked route. |
