Cortona and the Etruscans

The imposing walls that encircle Cortona and in which can be admired the Bifora Door are about 2880 meters (about 1.8 miles) long and are of Etruscan origin.

Many tombs have been discovered in the area and some are especially imposing.

These include the Tanella of Pitagora, where the legend has it the body of Pythagoras is buried.

Others tombs are to Camucia the graves of the Melone I and of the Melone II at Sodo.

Both these tombs are from many years in restoration.

When accessible the tombs may be visited only with a guide and by paying a fee.

Many of the furnishings discovered in the tombs can be seen in the local museum of the Accademia Etrusca di Palazzo Casali (Etruscan Academy in the Casali Palace), including a chandelier in bronze dating from the 5th century, a unique piece that weighs more than 50 kg.