Fortezza del Girifalco, Medieval fortress in Cortona, Italy.
Fortezza del Girifalco is a medieval fortress at Cortona's highest point, featuring a pentagonal layout with four bastions and an internal ravelin. The structure dominates the skyline and remains visible from the lower parts of the city.
Built in 1258, the fortress underwent major reconstruction in the 16th century when Florentine authorities integrated it with Cortona's city walls. This integration made it central to the city's defensive system.
The fortress now functions as a cultural venue, hosting rotating exhibitions that display regional art and local heritage throughout the year. It serves as a gathering space where visitors encounter contemporary events and artistic presentations.
Reaching the fortress requires a 15-minute uphill walk from Cortona's center along paved paths. Wheelchair access is available at the entrance, allowing visitors with limited mobility to access the lower areas.
From the fortress's summit, views extend across the surrounding landscape to include the Val di Chiana valley and Lake Trasimeno in neighboring Umbria. These distant vistas once helped defenders monitor activity across a vast territory.
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