Have you ever noticed that curious "little house on top of the house" perched on the roofs of many old country homes in Tuscany? In this new episode of Cortona: City of Hidden Treasures, we're exploring the Case Leopoldine, the "silent guardians" of the Val di Chiana. Born out of the massive land reclamation projects commissioned by Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine, these structures were much more than just simple homes—they were true masterpieces of agricultural ingenuity and rural architecture. Together with landscape architect Silvia Neri, we'll discover:

• How the ground floor was laid out (dedicated to livestock and stunning vaulted stables).
• The daily life of the farming families on the upper floor, who would gather around a large central hearth.
• The true purpose of the mysterious Torre Colombaia (dovecote tower) on the roof: a brilliant way to source free food and produce "guano," a highly potent natural fertilizer for the fields!

A fascinating journey back in time to an era where every single architectural element served a vital purpose.

On the top floor of an ancient building in Cortona lies an extraordinary place: the Library and Museum of the Etruscan Academy, now part of the MAEC. Founded in 1727 by a small group of young intellectuals in their early twenties, the Academy aimed to improve the cultural and economic conditions of the city by making books, manuscripts, and historical objects available to the public. An incredible detail connects this local reality to the rest of Europe: the world-famous British Museum in London opened its doors only in 1752 at the behest of King George II, a full 25 years after the Cortonese institution. The Etruscan Academy can therefore boast the merit of having been, in a certain sense, the precursor to one of the most important and well-known museums in the world. Watch the video to discover the history of the Lucumones, the "Cortonese Nights," and the international treasures housed inside this Tuscan gem.

Think you really know the history of Cortona? In this new episode of our multimedia project promoted by the Municipality of Cortona, we lift the veil of time to uncover the secrets hidden inside the beating heart of local politics: the Council Hall. Together with Silvia Navini (City Councilor for the Historic Center) and heraldry expert Patrizia Rocchini, we analyze the emblem that has defined our region's identity for centuries: the coat of arms featuring a rampant silver lion on a red field. What you’ll discover in this video:

• Why Cortona’s lion is one-of-a-kind and stands out from all other heraldic lions.
• The sacred attributes of the Marcian lion: the deep meaning behind its halo, wings, and closed green book.
• The parallels and sharp heraldic differences with Venice's famous Lion of Saint Mark.
• The dramatic medieval events of April 25, 1261: the end of the harsh occupation by Arezzo, the triumphant return of Cortona's exiles, and the choice of Saint Mark as the patron saint of their reclaimed freedom.

Join us on a fascinating journey through art, heraldry, and medieval history to rediscover the roots and memories of our community. Cortona City of Hidden Treasures is a project dedicated to showcasing the lesser-known places, symbols, and stories of our extraordinary territory.

In Cortona, the answer might surprise you. During Etruscan times, women and men shared banquets and drank wine together—something very different from Roman culture, where wine was mostly reserved for men.

In a land where wine has been produced for over 2,800 years, Cortona became an important hub first for the Etruscans, then for the Romans, and today for its Syrah, one of the most distinctive in Italy. Discover the history, traditions, and hidden stories of wine in Cortona through “Cortona Hidden Treasures”.