The incorrupt body of Saint Margaret is encased in a glass sarcophagus located behind the high altar.
The church was built to replace an older structure where Saint Margaret lived and died in a small cell.
The interior contains a cycle of paintings by Pietro da Cortona, a notable Baroque master.
The church was granted the title of minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1927.
A series of mosaic stations of the cross line the final path leading up the hill toward the basilica.
The bell tower, visible from the town below, was integrated into the building during the 19th-century expansion.
The Basilica of Saint Margaret of Cortona is a neo-Gothic church situated at the highest point of Cortona, Italy. It serves as the final resting place of Saint Margaret, a 13th-century Franciscan tertiary whose incorrupt body is displayed in a silver urn above the high altar. The interior features significant 18th-century frescoes and elaborate gilded stucco work. Construction of the current structure began in the 19th century on the site of a smaller 13th-century church. The facade is characterized by its distinctively striped marble masonry and rose window. It overlooks the Val di Chiana, providing wide-reaching views of the Tuscan landscape. The site maintains a strong connection to the local penitential tradition.
The terrace directly in front of the basilica entrance, looking out over the Val di Chiana.
Walk the steep path from the town center to experience the traditional pilgrimage route.
View the town of Cortona and the surrounding valley from the terrace located in front of the basilica.
Visit the small museum adjacent to the church to see historical religious artifacts.
Do not attempt to drive to the basilica during peak tourist hours, as parking is extremely limited near the summit.
Modest dress is required: cover shoulders and knees. Maintain silence inside.
