The Girifalco Fortress is located in Cortona in the province of Arezzo. The fortress dominates the city and the construction of the fortress dates back to 1258. The fortress was used as a strategic and military point of the city. Thanks to its position it was an excellent defense bastion. In 1556 at the behest of Cosimo I de 'Medici, the architect Francesco Laparelli and the military engineer Gabrio Serbelloni collaborated to design four bastions and the ravelin. During the sixteenth century the medieval walls were replaced to fortify the city. In the following centuries it was used as a prison, refuge and war post. For example, during the Second World War the Germans installed a radio transmitter there, which the Allies also exploited later. Only in 1959 was it possible to restore the fortress and make it accessible. In 2010 the recovery of the bastion of Santa Maria Nuova was completed to improve its accessibility. Inside the walls there is a large garden, the internal courtyard and the Captain's palace. At the entrance to the fortress you can see the spaces of the wash house and a secret staircase, which connected to the upper floor. Today the fortress hosts temporary exhibitions, events and congresses.