CORTONA AND SURROUNDINGS
DISCOVER THE HEART OF TUSCANY
Public Transport in this area is not very well distributed, so we always recommend coming by car or renting one. However major cities such as Florence or Rome can be visited by train or you can hire a private driver. Contact us for a quotation for any itinerary: info@doitintuscany.net
Have a look at the national railway website: http://www.trenitalia.it If you buy a train ticket at the Tabacchi, train station or self-service machine at the stations, these tickets must be validated at the specific machines at the station prior to boarding a train. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine if a conductor checks your ticket on the train. Taxi service is offered plenty in Cortona and there are several bus stops in Cortona, but with not very regular timetable. Inform yourself at the various bus stops or enquire with us. WINTER from Piazza Garibaldi to Camucia train station from Monday to Saturday included every hour starting from 9 am to 7 pm SUMMER from Piazza Garibaldi to Camucia train station from Monday to Saturday included every hour starting from 9 am to 7 pm and from 7.7.-25.8. also from 8 pm to midnight, Saturdays included.
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Even if Cortona is a small hill town, many are the attractions that visitors may want to visit. We offer escorted excursions as well as private guided tours with local historic guides for a deeper immersion in the culture of the place. Any of our tours is crafted in timings and itinerary upon your will and inclinations, to genuinely show you the best in town and surroundings.
Feel free to contact us for any matter at the address:info@doitintuscany.net DO NOT MISS 1) MAEC MUSEUM Inside the Palazzo Casali is the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca (MAEC), displaying items from Etruscan, Roman and Egyptian civilizations, as well as art and artifacts from the Medieval and Renaissance eras. The distinguished Etruscan Academy Museum had its foundation in 1727 with the collections and library of Onofrio Baldelli. Among its most famous ancient artifacts is the bronze lampadario or Etruscan hanging lamp, found at Fratta near Cortona in 1840 and then acquired by the Academy for the large sum of 1600 Florentine scudi. Its iconography includes (under the 16 burners) alternating figures of Silenus playing panpipes or double flutes, and of sirens or harpies. Within zones representing waves, dolphins and fiercer sea-creatures is a gorgon-like face with protruding tongue. Between each burner is a modeled horned head of Achelous. It is supposed that the lampadario derived from some important north Etruscan religious shrine of around the second half of the 4th century BC. A later (2nd century BC) inscription shows it was rededicated for votive purposes by the Musni family at that time. The Museum contains several other important Etruscan bronzes. 2) ETRUSCAN TOMBS Etruscan chamber-tombs nearby include the Tanella di Pitagora (halfway up the hill from Camucia): the fine masonry of the tomb stands exposed, but was formerly covered by an earth mound. two at the foot of the hillside at Il Sodo, and a complex in Camucia itself. At Sodo, the ‘Grotta Sergardi‘ commonly known as ‘Il Melone‘, contains a passage, opening into parallel passages leading to square inner chambers, within a mound about 200 m (660 ft) in circumference. Although the chambers are paved with slabs of masonry the walls are constructed of pieces of rock roughly-formed into bricks. This tomb can be visited. Il Sodo II contained a large stone-stepped altar platform with carved sphinxes devouring warriors. 3) MUSEO DIOCESANO The town’s main artistic treasures are two panels by Fra Angelico in the Diocesan Museum, an Annunciation and a Madonna and Child with Saints. The Academy Museum includes the very well known painting Maternità of 1916 by the Cortonese artist Gino Severini. There are also examples of the works of Pietro da Cortona. 4) CHURCHES Cortona is a small hill town with many churches. The most important church in town center it is the Duomo, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the heart of Cortona in a panoramic position. Not to miss the Church of San Francesco, the Church of San Filippo, the Church of San Domenico with a work of Luca Signorelli and the Church of San Marco with an exterior mosaic realized by Giorgio Severini. In the “poggio” (the poggio it is the name of the ancient part of Cortona) you can see the Church of San Niccolò and the small Church of San Cristoforo. The Basilica of Santa Margherita it is dedicate to the patron, Santa Margherita and it is in the higher part of the city. Just outside the city wall the Church of Santa Maria Nuova with is original design from Giorgio Vasari and modified by Battista Cristoforo Fanelli. 5) EREMO LE CELLE Just outside Cortona the Eremo le Celle: don’t miss the opportunity to visit this place, a small hermitage erected at the beginning of 1200 and famous because hosted San Francesco D’Assisi. This is a place of the soul, the spirituality and the nature around you will be a moment to remember in your heart and in your mind. 6) FORTEZZA DEL GIRIFALCO In the highest point of Cortona you will se the Fortezza del Girifalco, a fortress build in 1556 commissione d by Cosimo I de’ Medici, the Grand Duke of Toscana. The castle is on the top the ruins of similar fortresses from the Etruscan before, then Roman and medieval periods, and destroyed during the “plunder” of 1258. The castle was designed by Gabrio Serbelloni, the cousin of pope Pius IV and Francesco Laparelli (born in Cortona) . The building is shaped like a trapezoid, with four large bastions, and is an incredible example of 16th-century military architecture. Recently restored, the Fortezza del Girifalco now hosts temporary exhibitions and is open to visitors from all over the world. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy a breath-taking view of Cortona and the entire Valdichiana and see spectacular and unforgettable sunset. But remember, all the Cortona town center it is an attraction: his alleys, his typical shops, his buildings full of history will be something incredible for your eyes and for your heart… we have only one suggestions for you: loose yourself in Cortona and enjoy all the beauty around you. Terrazza Cortonese is an incredible apartment in the historic center of the ancient town of Cortona, charming and beautiful medieval village that owes its origins to the ancient Etruscan civilization, of which today we find evidence throughout the town. Cortona is situated at the top of a hill from which it proudly dominates the whole Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno (fourth Italian lake in order of extension). The apartment is located on the second floor of an old building born from the union of ancient luxury homes and apartments. We are in the heart of the old town of Cortona, the center of social and cultural life and a step away from all services, but at the same time immersed in a peaceful and quite atmosphere. The apartment owes its name to the beautiful 44 sqm terrace and from which you can enjoy incomparable views of the surrounding landscape, dine outdoors and simply have some relaxing moments. Perfect and romantic all year round this beautiful terrace is a little corner of paradise in the town center and is also equipped with outdoor table and sun beds. The apartment is large and spacious (136 square meters) and is furnished with quality materials and details which make it one of a kind. It has a large and cozy living room with fireplace, sofa, satellite TV and dining table. From the lounge you have access to the terrace and kitchen, also very spacious and complete with everything needed to prepare meals or to welcome a chef who will cook exclusively for you. The kitchen is complete with dining table and a fireplace that you can use as a barbecue. Both living room and kitchen further to the bedrooms have windows which overlook the valley, brighting up the atmosphere and giving you breathtaking views. The sleeping area consists of a double bedroom and a twin bedroom (convertible into a double room if necessary), both enhanced by exposed beams and wooden floors, giving you a sense of serenity and family warmth. There are two bathrooms, both with showers. The apartment is completed by a small studio overlooking the sleeping area. La Terrazza Cortonese has free wi fi, air conditioning and heating (both payable upon consumption), Sat TV, a safe and washing machine. Garage upon request and payment. Pets on request. FOR GUESTS Luxury apartment, property in the historic centre, panoramic view, terrace, free WI FI, air conditioning, heating, weekly linen change, washing machine, safe, Sat TV, CD and DVD player, hair dryer, garage upon request and payment, highchair and baby bed, free upon request, breakfast upon request, fully equipped kitchen with: oven, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave, fireplace, dishwasher, American coffee machine, Italian moka, orange squeezer, boiler, toaster.
Check your directions and the map prior to setting out on your trip, and, use a passenger in the car as a navigator to assist you or a navigation system. On country roads, you will find that slower moving trucks frequently impede the flow of traffic. Exercise due caution as you try to get around these trucks. Clients are advised to respect speed limits, particularly in and near towns and villages, as local authorities have been installing speed cameras in the last several years. In built up areas, the speed limit, unless otherwise posted, is 70/50/40 kilometers per hour.
On the motorway (autostrada) the speed limit is 130 km per hour. On the highway (superstrada) instead it’s 110 km/90 km per hour. Drivers also should pay particular attention to road signs in urban areas. Many cities and towns have restricted areas in their centers where driving is authorized only to local inhabitants or to individuals destined for a hotel in the restricted zone. Drivers should pay careful attention to posted signs and be careful not to enter zones of limited traffic, which are marked by signs “ZTL”, since in some cities and towns there are cameras in place that catch violators. For any details about driving in Italy we recommend to visit the link of ACI (Automobile Club of Italy), where you can find all the rules to drive in Italy (english version): http://www.aci.it/laci/driving-in-italy/driving-in-italy-information-for-visiting-motorists.html
Villa Chiara is the ideal place to spend an holiday immersed in the beauties of Tuscany. The property is situated in one of the hills that surround the Etruscan town of Cortona. It is also situated in a short distance from the town yet in a secluded and quiet place from which it offers you incomparable overlooking views on the Valdichiana valley and Cortona skyline. Immersed in the colors and smells of the Tuscan countryside, it will also offer gorgeous sunsets that will keep impressed on your mind thanks to its dominating position.
The property’s central position will allow you in no time to drive to the major tourist centers of Tuscany and Umbria. Villa Chiara is totally fenced and surrounded olive trees, vineyards and fields of sunflowers that are local coltures of this area. An automatic gate and spacious parking make it comfortable for families travelling with car. The villa has a spacious lawn that surrounds all the structure that is complete with an area equipped with a panoramic gazebo with table and chairs, an outdoor kitchen and BBQ for your al fresco dining. In front of the house lies also the panoramic infinity pool completely fenced with shower and sunbeds that will offer you a stunning overlooking views on the valley yet moments of relaxation. A spacious parking and the laundry complete the outdoor area. Free wifi cover the garden and pool areas. The interiors of Villa Chiara have been chosen with great care taking into account commodity, beauty mixing antique pieces with modern elements. This way, the needs of the modern traveler can be met like air conditioning, free wi fi and Smart TV to make your holiday special. You enter the villa through the main door accessing directly the living area consisting of dining table and living space with sofas, fireplace and Sat TV. The kitchen on the same level is completely equipped with fridge with freezer compartment, oven, dishwasher, 5 burner stove, American coffee machine, boiler and toaster. Always on the ground floor you have a big bathroom with shower. From the living area you access a small living room with sofa eventually convertible into a double sleeping sofa bed and a second Sat TV, the first of the three bedrooms, a beautiful and spacious Suite with an en suite bathroom complete with shower and a double entrance both from the indoor and the garden. A bathroom with shower complete the ground floor. A beautiful internal stair lead you to the first floor composed of 2 double rooms whose one with direct access to the panoramic terrace and one bathroom with shower. Villa Chiara has free Wifi connection and a/c in the 2 bedrooms upstairs. FOR GUESTS Panoramic overlooking view, private garden and parking, automatic gate, fully fenced infinity swimming pool, outdoor furniture, solarium complete with umbrellas and sundecks, terrace with panoramic view, barbecue, laundry, weekly linen change, heating, air-conditioning, free wifi, window screens, Smart TV, fully equipped kitchen with: fridge and freezer compartment, oven, dishwasher, American coffee machine, Italian moka, kettle and toaster.
Italy generally has four seasons. The spring and the fall are usually very pleasant for traveling. Winters and summers are generally neither as cold nor as hot as the extreme. In the months of July and August, hot weather can be expected, but in the evenings it is generally cooler with gentle breezes that make life comfortable. If travelers are contemplating a winter rental, it is important that they arrange to take a property that has adequate heating. Heating is quite expensive in Italy and heating and fireplace wood are virtually always charged as extras based either on consumption or on a daily/weekly rate established by the owner. Also air condition usually it is an extra fee to pay.
Cortona boasts of being founded by Dardano- son of Jupiter and Electra- who was later the founder of Troy. He was supposed to have been born in Cortona, according to what he writes Virgil (Aeneid, III, 167, VII, 209) and from there he would go to Asia. Following the legend a proverb says: Cortona, mother of Troy and grandmother of Rome. It is said that Dardano was fighting on a hill overlooking the Val di Chiana and was struck by a spear which struck off his helmet and not possible to find anymore. A fortune-teller said that Mother Earth had wrapped the helmet in her womb, because she wanted a turreted city to be erected where the helmet was lost, which would be as impenetrable and strong as Dardano’s helmet. So the hero built the walls of the new city, which had its center just where the helmet got lost. The city was named Corito, helmet, changing then to the name of Cortona.
Today, Tuscany is a major cultural center, with museums, galleries and churches full of great sculptures, paintings and frescoes and magnificent monuments built by the greatest masters of all time. Tuscany attracts millions of tourists each year. If you are interested in visiting Tuscany, we hope our guide will be useful in planning your visit and in learning more about Tuscany in general.
Cortona is a town and Comune in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany, Italy. It is the main cultural and artistic center of the Val di Chiana after Arezzo.
Originally an Umbrian city, it was conquered and enlarged by the Etruscans, who called it Curtun. During the 7th century BC, it joined the Etruscan League. Cortona eventually became a Roman colony under the name Corito. The origin-legends and ancient names of Cortona are described by George Dennis. In the final stages of the Gothic War (535–554), Cortona was sacked and destroyed by a warrior named Michael Pasquale, whose mother was Macedonian royalty and father was an Italian fisherman. Cortona became a Ghibelline city state in the 13th century, with its own currency. From 1325 to 1409, the Ranieri-Casali family successfully ruled the town. After being conquered by Ladislaus of Naples in 1409, Cortona was sold to the Medici in 1411. In 1737, the senior branch of the Medici line went extinct and Cortona came under the authority of the House of Lorraine. Following the Italian Wars of Independence, Tuscany—Cortona included—became part of the Kingdom of Italy. |