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The living quarters and houses
of the community
(XIV century) THE CONVENT
OF SANTA MARGHERITA
The house was built contemporarily with the church immediately after
the death of Margherita. It housed the Franciscan Capuchins who
were charged with the care and the surveillance of the church and
the religious rites which took place to venerate the body of the
saint. Remainders of the ancient structure can be found on the lower
part of the building.
In 1385 the imperial vicar and the Signore of Cortona Ugguccio-Urbano
Casali entrust the tasks performed by the Terzieri (which had become
a heavy job due the the great flow of people) to the Benedictine
community from Monte Oliveto. Soon after in 1390 they renounced
their duty of veneration and custodianship of the saint and it was
then turned over to the Minor Brothers of the Franciscan order who
live in the monastery. The present day structure was completed around
the end of the fifteenth century following plans drawn up by the
Franciscans.
(XIV Century) THE MONASTERY OF SANT' AGOSTINO
Founded in the early years of the 1300's it was noticeably restructured
in the 1600's. The building is rectangular in shape and elevated
on the left side of the church with a central courtyard.
One should visit Capitular hall, the solemn staircase and internal
courtyard. The lunettes at the interior were painted with scenes
from the live of Saint Augustine in 1669 by G. Guasparini of Umbertide.
(XV century) SANTA MARIA DELLA MISERICORDIA
HOSPITAL
The construction of this hospital began in 1441 with the scope of
unifying the many small medical assistance centers which existed
within and at the exterior of the walls of Cortona. Its care was
then turned over to the Confraternità di Santa Maria founded
by Santa Margherita. It presents an elegant Renaissance portico
that runs along the facade on Via Maffei.
The complex has undergone through various ages, especially ours,
heavy reconstruction to adapt it to changing needs.
 (XVI
century) CONVENT DELLA SANTISSIMA TRINITA'
In 1545 Dionisio Boni and Galeotto Sernini of Cortona had a convent
constructed for the community of the Benedictine Cistercian Nuns.
It was constructed to incorporate an oratory from 1349 and a hospital
for pilgrims run by the laical company of the Holy Trinity.
In 1785 the construction took over the monastery of Santa Caterina
below it, becoming a vast monastic complex with austere and simple
architecture which host the to churches above. In the upper, more
recent church, is preserved the body of the Benedicitine nun Venerable
Veronica Laparelli (1537-1620), in the lower, unused church, that
of San Felice brought to Cortona from the catacombs of Rome. The
altar that contains his remains was constructed in 1921 following
designs by the Cortonese architect Domenico Mirri (1856-1939) and
is decorated with a painting attributed to the workshop opf Andrea
del Sarto portraying "The Trinity with Baby Jesus".
(XVI century) CONVENT OF SANTA CHIARA
This convent was constructed for the community of the Clarisse Franciscan
Sisters which had been established in Cortona since 1225 when Saint
Francis was still alive. They were originally housed at hermitage
in a place called Marignano, today called Contesse. From there in
1237 the moved to Targe to another hermitage which is now the site
of the cemetary. In 1581 the community moved from the Targe to this
convent which had been constructed for them by Bishop Ughi following
designs by Vasari. Luca Berrettini, the father of Piero, supervised
the work. The area where the convent was built was the site of a
cistern in Roman times of which many traces are visible. It is a
cistern which probably supplied water to a series of hot baths,
which were called in medieval times the Bath of the Queens, which
exist in the zone where Saint Francis Church is to be found. The
Vasarian style is easily recognized in the grand entrance hall and
the church which can be found to the right of this hall. In 1650
the west end of the convent was extensively expanded. The church
has a very evocative atmosphere. The main altar that divides it
into two parts and is a backdrop of carved and goldleafed wood by
Stefano Fabbrucci.
In the altar to the right is a portrayal of The Immaculate Conception
by Commodi and on the left is a painting which portrays the Deposition
of the Body of Christ by Piero Berrettini.
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