The historic centre of Cori is a true treasure chest of history, suspended between myth and reality. Its roots reach back to the Bronze Age, but the city flourished in Roman times as Còra, an ally of Rome, encircled by formidable polygonal walls that still stand — a lasting testament to a civilisation that combined clever engineering with defence. Wandering through the narrow streets, the layers of history unfold around every corner: from the Roman masterpieces of the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Castor and Pollux, to the medieval churches like Sant’Oliva, home to Renaissance frescoes and a cloister of unique elegance.
The urban fabric preserves its medieval layout, with stone houses, arches, and stairways opening onto intimate squares where time seems to stand still. Among the must-see sites are the Museo della Città e del Territorio (City and Territory Museum) and the Cappella dell’Annunziata (Chapel of the Annunciation), a true jewel of the Renaissance in Lazio.
Cori is also a city of living tradition: the annual Palio recalls the ancient competitions between the districts, while religious celebrations and local fairs celebrate the products of its land, from olive oil to wine, heirs to a millennia-old agricultural vocation. The historic centre is not merely a place of memory, but a vibrant space where culture and identity intertwine. Walking its streets is like retracing the story of a community that, through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, preserved its heritage while renewing it. Today, it offers visitors a unique experience of art, landscape, and tradition.
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