Basilica of Saint Margaret of Cortona — Attraction in Cortona

High atop the city of Cortona sure the beautiful Basilica of Santa Margarita. I ran into this lovely church when I decided to explore up rather than down the hilltop town. It is surprising to run into a large, elaborately built church, but this is a very touristy city, while we were there an estimated 65% were Americans while we were there. We visited a couple other basilica's while we were in Italy and this one is truly lovely and unique. There is a service going on however the out front was cordial in allowing me to enter the church view its beauty. There were candles burning off to the right of the church and a small service going on up front. What I most appreciated about it was the beautiful stained glass. There were only a handful of cars there that evening. Because it's so out of the way I would imagine it's not as visited as some of the other more well-known cathedrals. I would definitely recommend a visit if you're in Cortona. It's a quick stop and you can be in and out within 10 or 15 minutes. The fortress that's located above the church is an attraction as well. Plan to arrive before 8:00 because that is when most attractions...

The sanctuary is dedicated to Santa Margherita, patron saint of Cortona and a Franciscan tertiary. On the death of the saint (February 22, 1297) it was decided to build a church in her honor, next to the ancient church of San Basilio that Margherita herself had restored after having chosen it as a place of penance and prayer. Me, my wife, my son and my in-laws stayed in this beautiful Basilica. The interior has three naves divided by pillars and cross vaults and was built with a Romanesque and Gothic style, the architecture is of Sienese style and decorated with bright colors. The body of Santa Margherita is kept inside an urn placed above the main altar. In addition, it has a large pipe organ. Near the Basilica I recommend you to visit the Girifalco Fortress, a medieval historical site of great military importance. I recommend that you visit the Basilica for spiritual, artistic, architectural reasons, etc ... I wish you a good trip and happy holidays. 😊 Did you like the review? Like!

Il santuario è dedicato alla santa Santa Margherita, patrona di Cortona e terziaria francescana. Alla morte della santa (22 febbraio 1297) si decise di costruire una chiesa in suo onore, a fianco dell'antica chiesetta di San Basilio che Margherita stessa aveva restaurato dopo averla scelta come luogo di penitenza e di preghiera. Io, mia moglie, mio figlio e i miei suoceri siamo stati in questa bellissima Basilica. L'interno è a tre navate divise da pilastri e con volte a crociera ed è stata costruita con uno stile romanico e gotico, l'architettura è di stile senese e con decorazioni con colori vivaci. Il corpo di Santa Margherita è conservato dentro un'urna collocata sopra l'altare maggiore. Inoltre, ha un grande organo a canne. Vicino alla Basilica vi consiglio di visitare la Fortezza del Girifalco, luogo storico medioevale di grande importanza militare. Io vi consiglio di visitare la Basilica per motivi spirituali, artistici, architettonici, ecc... Io vi auguro buon viaggio e buone vacanze. 😊 Ti è piaciuta la recensione?...

I liked that it was open all day. Unlike a lot of basilicas that closed from 12pm to 2pm or 3pm. It was atop a hill. So, afford nice view. And a very tranquil place. (It could be that I visited on a rainy day, hence not that many people. But I'd think you'd still feel the peace of that place.) St Margaret of Cortona had a very interesting story. And how wonderfully great she loved the community around her. And the people responded by immediately venerating her as a holy person, and then a saint. Preserving her story and her relics. I liked how there was a stone that marked the place where she ascended to her home in heaven, in...