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The Civic Palaces
 (XVI
century) PALAZZO CASALI According to legend the Casali palace is
constructed upon the area of old Etruscan and Roman buildings, of
which there are visible remains in the cellars of the nearby "Cassa
di Risparmio" (a bank). In the middle ages the Abbot of Farneta
constructed a few houses which with the inauguration of an autonomous
Comune, became the residence of the Consulate of the Terziere di
Santa Maria (the headquarters of the council of the medieval neighbourhood
called Saint Mary). it later became the property of the Casali family,
who became the Signori of Cortona (1325) and built their palace
on the same spot. After the fall of the Casali's and established
itself in the building. Between 1613 and 1621 they completely expanded
and administrators can be seen on the interior walls of the courtyard
and on the external walls to the right of the building which now
houses the Accademia Etrusca ( The Etruscan Academy), its museum
and the libraries of the Comune and the academy as well as the civic
historical archives.
This atmosphere of history is considered today for its arrangement
the Palace of Culture.
(XVIII century) PALAZZO VAGNOTTI Vagnotti Palace was destined to
become a theological study centre for the preparation of young priests,
and the first stone was placed by bishop Giovanni Ipoliti in 1760.
The building rose from a plan by the grand-ducal architect Romualdo
Cilli. The architecture is simple and austere inside as well as
out. The palace has two facades, the main one on Via Vagnotti and
another on Piazza Giuseppe Franciolini where over the elegant doorway
is the stone tablet which commemorates Francesco Vagnotti, the man
who had willed to his heirs the means for constructing this palace.
The internal chapel, constructed in the 1600's by architect Francesco
Jannelli was modified by Cilli at the end of the 1700's. The picture
on the altar was painted by Giuseppe Valiani of Pistoia (1721-1810).
Today the palace is property of the Bishops Curate and is no longer
a centre for theological studies in Cortona, but used for other
needs. Between the end of August and the beginning of September
it is the home of the renown National Antique Furniture Exhibit.
(XIX century) TEATRO SIGNORELLI The Signorelli Theatre is owned
by the Accademia degli Arditi, on the corner of Piazza Signorelli,
on the spot where the ancient church of Sant'Andrea was found. It
was designed by architect Carlo Gatteschi in 1854 following the
Neoclassical style. The loggia has seven arcades and at the interior
two rows of eight pilasters covered with lunette vaults. Its activity
has always been filled with action and excellent, for many years
it has served as the movie theatre.
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