Aspects of Economic and Social Life in the Statute of the Commune of Cortona (1325)
Franco Franceschi University of Siena Abstract An ancient Etruscan settlement located in the Valdichiana, along the border between Tuscany and Umbria, Cortona has attracted renewed interest over the last two decades among historians of the Middle Ages...
One Day in Cortona, Tuscany
"An interesting post blog from a former expat, photographer, dog mom and pizza connoisseur. While living in Italy, I started Petite Suitcase to inspire travelers through sharing destination guides and travel tips." As impossible as it is to choose, Cortona just might...
A quintessentially Tuscan town that hides a fascinating surprise
The Italian town of Cortona, 70 miles south east of Florence, is a standard-issue slice of Tuscan loveliness, with hilltop location, picturesquely crumbling palazzi and alfresco antipasti, not to mention the Britons in Boden scanning estate agents’ windows. What’s...
The Antique Market in Arezzo
Antique Market in Arezzo On the first Sunday of every month, and the Saturday before, when its Piazza The Antique Market in Arezzo is considered one of the best antique fairs in Tuscany and was the first market of its kind to be established in Italy in 1968. It’s held...
A chat with Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun
From the Florentine.net Discussing "la dolce vita" with the author Oonagh Stransky January 10, 2016 - 8:35 In 1996 Frances Mayes published Under the Tuscan Sun, a memoir about buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in rural Cortona. It went to number one...
Cortona – Best for Tuscan life
European travel: A grand tour of Italy From “Herald Sun” Magazine Beyond olive groves and vineyards, tall pines stretch graciously across the plains. Swallows swirl over red-tiled rooftops, church towers vie with cypresses as focal points, and broad fields merge into...
Cortona, Italy: a journey through the ages
The hill town of Cortona rises above the Val di Chiana, its white marble and stonework reflecting the sun like some great beacon. This Etruscan town’s origins actually predate recorded history, but its storied existence has long been a focus of commerce, pilgrimage,...
Henry James Walked Here
IT was love at first sight. Henry James was 26 when he crossed the border from Switzerland and made his way, on foot, down into Italy — “warm & living & palpable,” as he wrote ecstatically to his sister on Aug. 31, 1869. The romance kindled that day lasted...
Is Cortona a good base for Tuscany?
Article from Rick Steves Comunity We are interested in staying in a hilltown for a week in the spring and then going on daytrips to other nearby towns. We had decided on Cortona because it sounds like a great town in itself and seems centrally located. Google and...
Quest for Tuscan Pasta and Great Plastering
CORTONA, Italy A loud voice pierced the dreamy stillness of Frances Mayes's rose-and-lavender-filled Tuscan garden. ''Is this the house?'' an American tourist hollered up from the iron gate. With sudden awe, he added, ''Is that Ed?'' Ed Mayes, the husband of Frances...