Santa Maria Nuova sits just outside Cortona's walls, below the hill town rather than in its tight central lanes. That position is part of its beauty: the dome and pale stone rise from the slope, especially striking when seen from the road climbing toward town.
The church was begun in the mid-16th century to house a revered image of the Virgin, with the design associated with Giorgio Vasari and later local builders. Its Greek-cross plan and calm Renaissance geometry make a good counterpoint to Cortona's medieval streets. It is a short detour, but one that helps you see the town from below as well as from within.