In order to realize Toscana region you need to understand its deeper roots. By getting back in the past history of those lands the Etruscans, very ancient and unique population. In fact they they had no affinities both linguistic or stylistic with other people. The Etruscan lived in Etrurua between 9th and 3rd centuries before Christ.
That civilization was one among the most relevant cultures in the whole Mediterranean basin.
In the past they affirmed their own dominion in different areas of the peninsula interweaving many business relationships with all the populations of the Mediterranean Sea.
Etruria land was never a sole Nation; every town always maintained their own governance autonomy. One of the rare occasions of gathering was the “Dodecapoli” (set of 12 towns),
made of 12 main towns: Veio, Cerveteri, Tarquinia, Vulci, Orvieto, Chiusi, Vetulonia, Volterra, Perugia, Cortona, Arezzo, Fiesole.

Many archaeological digs have brought to light necropolis, settlements, handicraft matters.
Among them there are the ceramics and the metals that made you realize about habitudes, rites, daily life business relationships and the history of that civilization. The  places spread over the land are many and offer occasions to know a unique civilization both unique and mysterious.

The Museum of Etruscan Academy and Cortona Town “Maec”, that is considered as one of the most important and innovative archaeological museums in Italy is a fundamental stage to know Cortona. The museum gathers in one and only path of show the historical Museum of Etruscan Academy and the Museum of Cortona as an Etruscan and a Roman Town.
The Museum seat is at Palazzo Casali, one of the most ancient palaces and richest in history of that town where some of the most extraordinary masteripieces of the Etruscan civilization are shown in over 2 thousand square meters. Many Etruscan Archaeological sites are even spread over the land around Cortona by a priceless value  and held in perfect conditions with sacrifice altars unique in the history of civilization and tomb nucleus that are worth of a visit.

The archeological sites are shared in Cortona area at the borders of interregional  Umbria-Casentino Way near Il Sodo directing to La fratta village and around the modern centre of Camucia and the most Medieval Cortona.

In the menu on the left for this route, you can continue to look at individual locations offering a range of accommodation, catering, leisure, sport, as well as information about the local produce.