"The Town that Frances Mayes Built" Cortona by mariocibelli

Cortona Travel Guide: 91 reviews and 221 photos

Cortona

I have always loves Cortona. It is a magical Tuscan hilltown, located 110 Km southeast of Florence very close to the border with Umbria and Lago Trasimeno. Of all the 'hilltowns' I have visited I find it to be the warmest, both in terms of the physical place (buildings, colours and atmosphere), but also the people. I don't feel that this is just because I have spent a lot of time here and also have many friends either.

One thing about Cortona, it has one level street, Via Nazionale (the main thouroughfare) which is a pedestrian street ( as are the majority) where the daily and nightly passegiata occurs. All the other streets are either up or down, some of the older ones are essentially stair-like with very short steps.

The funniest thing is the 15th century hospital at which if you come by car you park on a 90 degree angle, note the stones under the rear wheels of the cars to prevent slippage. Another point I should bring out, NOBODY DRIVES A TRUCK OR SUV - being vertically challenged sits well with them.

Under the Tuscan Sun and all that Jazz

Under the Tuscan Sun House

Yes, Cortona is where the book(s) and now film version of Under the Tuscan Sun was set. I don't know anyone who has ever met her (the author) who still has her home there, but most people feel a bit ambivalent about the whole thing. It has effected tourism to Cortona, however I don't like thetricke down effects.

I have very mixed feeling about the book and the film version is terrible. Can you believe they erected a fake fountain 'to make the town more Italian and quaint' with a statue of Neptune - who happened to have an anormous member, well the local monsignor and several local citizens saw to it that Neptune got circumsized.

La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful) was also partially filmed here - the scenes at the opera (that is the local cinema, Teatro Signorelli).

Intro Updated Dec 21, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (3)

Walking around Cortona Things to Do (2)

The attached foto is just a six minute walk from the main piazza of Cortona. more travel advice

Do you have a vegetable platter? - Cortona

Sagra della Bistecca Local Customs (1)

On August 15th (the Assumption) Cortona becomes a carnivores paradise in which huge barbeque pits are fired up and roast... more travel advice

The Cells of San Francesco Things to Do (2)

Beautiful monastery in which St. Francis lived for a time. Its idyllic setting allows one the serenity to meditate on... more travel advice

Have you been to Cortona? Share your travels with the world!

Comments (6)

Reply
- Report abuse
Martin_S. Jul 19, 2010 at 4:21 AM

Now the August 15th, Assumption festival in Cortona, with the STEAKS, is truly something that I would love to try!!!! Martin
Reply
- Report abuse
rozehill Oct 23, 2004 at 9:09 PM

What a lovely house that one looks from the movie. Shame they made a hash of the Statue of Neptune. Good tips.
Reply
- Report abuse
mapakettle Sep 18, 2004 at 11:51 PM

Very interesting. Was the fountain removed before or after the film was completed? Pa
Reply
- Report abuse
orlikins Aug 27, 2004 at 4:21 AM

have that film on DVD, it has wonderful scenery
Reply
- Report abuse
Helga67 Jun 14, 2004 at 3:17 AM

This town looks lovely. Thanks for sharing
Reply
- Report abuse
iandsmith May 28, 2004 at 8:12 PM

Illuminating. Thank you.