Cortona - St Margarets Church

(Local Name: Chiesa di Santa Margherita) Just below the Fortezza, on the flank of the hill, is the Santuario di Santa Margherita, with a pilgrimage church dedicated to St Margaret of Cortona (1247-97). The present church, in Neo- Byzantine style, was built between 1856 and 1897. The Saint's tomb dates from 1362; her relics are in a silver shrine (1646) on the high altar. From the square in front of the church there is a magnificent view into the Val di Chiana.