I will be going on my honeymoon at the end of april to rome and cortona can someone tell me about cortona?

Question

we will be there for 2 nights ,3 days and are staying at the relais villa baldelli-anyone been there? tell me everything- should we go somewhere else we don't want to travel too far from rome but want relaxation and romance- but not boredom! Thanks! I am open to any suggestions, tips, advice!

Answer 1

Places to visit in Cortona :

Town Hall - already in existence from 1236, altered and enlarged in the course of the centuries, surmounted by a crennelated tower furnished with a clock, it overlooks the Piazza della Repubblica in front of the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo.

- The walls - today a bit short of 3 kilometers, was constructed by the Etruscans around the end of the 5th century B.C. and can be seen at the base of the current day walls. It has a rectangular form with the two greater sides facing the north and south, the shorter sides face east and west. The short west side is very well preserved and the site of a recent re-opening and restoration of the Etruscan gateway with unique double barrel-vaulted portals.

- The gateways - 3rd century after the Roman conquest, the damaged parts of the walls were reconstructed and raised in height. Four gateways were placed at the exits from the Roman city, from the decumano Porta Santa Maria and Porta San Domenico and from the cardo Porta Sant'Agostino and Porta Colonia.

In the middle ages the walls were heavily damaged during the attack of 1258, they were subsequently reconstructed and repristined with the help from the people of Perugia and most of all from the Sienese. The two-opening Etruscan gateway was closed (Porta Bacarelli) and other gateways were opened: Porta Montanina, Porta Berarda and Porta San Giorgio, the last two were closed-up probably at the beginning of the 17th century.

- The fortress - in 1556, on the north east corner of the rectangular city walls, at its highest point, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I had a fortress constructed. It rose from structures which had been fortifications during Etruscan, Roman and Medieval times. The last having been destroyed in the sack of 1258. The fortress was the work of Gabrio Serbelloni, nephew of Pope Pius IV and Franceso Laparelli of Cortona.

- Palazzo Casali - erected by the Casali family in the XIII century ,Lords of Cortona, and then becoming Seat of the Fiorentini Lords and Captains, houses in its interior the Museum of the Accademia Etrusca (1727), the Municipal Library and Historical Archives.





- Basilica di S. Margherita - the church rises from an enchanting position on the high part of the hill with Roman Gothic imitations, it was constructed to substitute a previous church of the XIV century. Other than the precious works of art preserved in its interior, on the altar there is a silver urn containing the body of Santa Margherita.

- Chiesa di San Francesco - basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, the church was also constructed by Brother Elias in 1247 on land which was called Bagno della Regina and donated to him by the Comune on which existed notable remains of Roman constructions which were probably hot springs. It is Gothic in style but heavily remodelled especially in the 17th century. The impact of it's masses and the grace of it original lines, however, are still intact. The entry door and the large windows which have recently been restored are to be admired.

- The Tombs-Melone of Sodo - It was explored for the first time in 1909. Its exploration only brought the burial chambers to light as they had be pillages over the centuries. In 1912 it was donated to the Accademia Etrusca by Giulia Baldelli widow of the member Girolamo Tommasi. Further restoration and research and putting the Second Melon in order, could render this an inviting place for visitors who want to view these two important monuments.

- The Tombs - Tanella di Pitagora - This is a cylindrical shaped construction with a diameter of a little more than seven meters which brings to mind a smaller version of the "Mole Adriana" in Rome. It is located in an inspirational spot, framed by cypress trees. It was known already in the 1500's and visited by Vasari who seems to have judged it as the tomb of Archimedes. Since then vistors have let their imaginations run wild, some would have it the tomb of Ulysses others that of Pythagoras, all due to the Greek-Hellenic style of its architecture.

The monument underwent progressive decay from the 1500's to the 1800's when the French troops passing through caused extensive damage.

The most recent examinations by experts date it to the second century before Christ. It was donated to the Etruscan Academy in 1929 by Mrs. Maria Laparelli Pitti.

-The Communal Library-  it is a world famous. It contains 22,000 printed volumes, 1172 parchments, 133 incunabula, and 633 manuscripts.

More about Cortona:

http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=78

Answer 2

Sounds like a boring vacation. Wake me up when you come home...

Answer 3

Cortona is in the province of Arezzo located in Tuscany.

If you saw the movie Roberto Benigni's "Life is Beautiful"

Cortona was the base for some of the scenes. Also the 2004 film "Under the Tuscan Sun" the village was used for some of the scenes.

Cortona sounds very romantic. I love Tuscany. Perfect few days for a honeymoon. Just google Cortona, Italy and a lot of information comes up.

Congratulations and have a great honeymoon.