Casa
Valli - The Sorrounding Area
|
Cortona
- The town of Cortona
stand high on a hill (650) and has a spectacular views of
the Valdichiana, Lake Trasimeno and Mount Amiata. Originally,
an Etruscan stronghold, Cortona was conquered by the Romans
and Goths before becoming a free commune in the 12th century
when it enjoyed a period of notable splendour.
The centre of Cortona is Piazza della Repubblica. The nearby
Palazzo Pretorio houses Cortona’s Etruscan Museum.
The most important artifact is the famous bronze lamp which
dates back to the V century B.C.
The Diocesan Museum opposite the cathedral contains the
Annunciation by Beato Angelico and works by other major
Tuscan artists, including Luca Signorelli, native of Cortona.
Amongst Cortona’s most beautiful churches are the
Gothic Church of S. Francesco and the Sanctuary of S. Margherita
which contains the tomb of the saint dead in 1362. The Medici
fortress affords the best views of town and countryside.
In the north east of Cortona the visitor can tour the hermitage
Eremo delle Celle, founded by S. Francesco in 1211 .
|
 |
Arezzo
- The provincial capital in the region
of Tuscany, Arezzo lies 80 Kms south of Florence and it dominates
the beautiful valley in which Valtiberina, Valdichiana, Casentino
and Valdarno valleys all join together. The higher part of
the town, dating back to the middle ages, has a Cathedral,
a Medici Fortress, aristocratic palaces and picturesque towers.
The lower part is modern and constantly expanding. Arezzo
was an important town during the Etruscan period, as shown
by the two statues of the Chimaerz and Athene (now in the
Archaeological Museum in Florence). It continued to be important
under the Romans and was famous for its vases, beautiful ceramics
with bas-relief decorations. The mayor things of interest
to see are the Churc of Santa Maria that contain the Lorenzetti
paintings and the Church of San Francesco with the frescoes
of Piero della Francesca.
|
 |
Montepulciano
- The highest of the Tuscan hill towns,
Montepulciano, offers stunning views and fine exemple of Renaissance
architecture. Montepulciano is also know as the pearl of the
15th century where there are many famous buildings to see
such as the Cathedral, the Loggia del Mercato, the Avignonese
and Tarugi palaces and also the Bucelli Palace with burial
urns and Etruscan and Latin inscriptions. Other places of
interest include the Church of St Agnese, the patron of the
town and the Civic Museum. Montepulciano is famous for its
excellent Vino Nobile and many others local products.
|
 |
Siena
- To the south west of Arezzo , edging
throught the Chianti region, enter Siena and step back to
the Middle Ages. Formed by the meeting of three hills on which
Siena is built, the square is divided into nine sections ,
commemorating the council of nine who governed the town in
the 13th century.
Twice a year, in July and August the Sienese faithfully ricreate
their medieval heritage in the Palio, a sumptuous pageant-cum-horse
race around the campo.
Important things to see are the Palazzo Pubblico, the museum
and the Cathedral built in 1196.
|
 |
Firenze
- Florence is almost in the middle of
the Italian peninsula, and it is one of the most important
cities for art, architecture, culture, commerce and industry.
Being on the main national railway lines, it is easily accessible
from most important places both in Italy and abroad.
Florence began its rebirth after the decadence of the Barbaric
ages and reached the highest splendour between the 11th and
the 15th century, as a free city. Then came under the rule
of the Medici Family , who later became the Grand Dukes of
Tuscany, this in fact was when the city was at the height
of its glory in art and culture, in politics and economic
power.
The Italian painting Cimabue and Giotto, the innovators of
the Renaissance Brunelleschi and Donatello, the universal
men like Leonardo and Michelangelo lived here.
The Uffizi , the most select picture gallery in the world,
the Buonarroti House with Michelangelo’s sculptures,
the Academy, the Medici Chapel, the Baptistry with its mosaics,
the Duomo and many other monuments to see.
|
 |
Assisi
- Assisi, the most enchanting and spiritual
town in Umbria lies at the foot of the biggest hillside in
Umbria, Mount Subasio. Founded by the Etruscans and later
became part of the Roman empire,the town is the birthplace
of Saint Francis (1182-1226), Patron Saint of Italy.
The main attraction of Assisi is an important centre of pilgrimage
and is the 13th Century Basilica of Saint Francis. It consists
of two churches, the upper one was built from 1228-1230 and
contains the frescoes about the life of Saint Francis by Giotto
and Cimabue. The lower one was built from 1230 –1253,
the entrance to the basilica dates back the 5th century.
Attached to the Basilica is the Franciscan monastery founded
by Saint Francis in 1206. Another magnificent exemple of gothic
architecture is the 13th century church of Santa Chiara where
is painted the crucifix, which allegedly spoke to Saint Francis.
|
 |
Perugia
- The city of Perugia is divided into
five quarters, each named after the original city gates: Sant’Angelo,
Porta Sole, San Pietro, Eburnea e Santa Susanna.
Piazza IV novembre is the city’s main square here you
will find the San Lorenzo Cathedral finished in 1430 and the
Fontana Maggiore designed by Fra Bevignate.
Just opposite is the 13th century Palazzo dei Priori which
still houses the municipal offices and the Galleria Nazionale
dell’Umbria one of the central Italy’s biggest
and best.
The Collegio della Mercanzia in the Corso Vannucci side of
the Palazzo dei Priori and in the same building is the Collegio
del Cambio, the towns medieval money exchange, its walls superbly
frescoed by Perugino.
At the southern end of Corso Vannucci are the small Giardini
Carducci from where there are excellent views of the countryside.
Underneath the gardens is a 16th century fortress Rocca Paolina:
destroyed after Italian Unification, the ruins remain a symbol
of defiance against oppression.
|
 |
Gubbio
- The Roman town of Gubbio has the most
medieval appearance of the Northern Umbrian towns. It is famous
for its local crafts and for its well preserved medieval traditions,
includine the procession of Candles in May. The place to start
a tour of the town is Piazza Quaranta Martiri, named after
forty citizen shot by the nazis in 1944.
The Duomo, 13th century building is an exception to the other
churches of Gubbio with its simple Gothic interior. Others
main things to see are the Plazzo Ducale, the Palazzo dei
Consoli end the Roman Theatre, well preserved 1st century
amphitheatre at the foot of the town.
|
 |
Castiglione
del Lago - The town of
Castiglione del Lago rises on a promontory which once formed
the fourth island of the Trasimeno Lake, the fourth largest
lake in Italy. The area of Trasimeno is very pretty, there
are boat trips in the summer to visit the three islands in
the middle or to cross from one side to another. The best
beaches are situated around Castiglione del Lago, nice Etruscan
town, where the medieval circe of walls and the ancient castle
are still well preserved. |
Distances
(kms) |
| Cortona |
Km
18 |
Montepulciano |
Km
35 |
Gubbio |
Km
50 |
Pisa Aereoporto |
Km
165 |
| Arezzo |
Km
50 |
Perugia |
Km
60 |
Roma |
Km
200 |
Lago trasimeno |
Km
30 |
| Siena |
Km
60 |
Assisi |
Km
80 |
Firenze Aereoporto |
Km
120 |
A1 Valdichiana |
Km
32 |
|
