Page 206 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

204 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

e Cortona
Arezzo, Toscana; 52044
One of the jewels of Tuscany, Cortona sits on a mountain spur facing
south towards Lago Trasimeno and dominating the Val di Chiana,
below. This walk takes in the major sights as well as visiting a few
places off the beaten track to see a different side of this hill town.

A two-hour walking tour It is dominated by the 16th-century
Piazza Garibaldi 1 at the eastern façade of the Palazzo Casali 5 to the
edge of town is the bus arrival point left, and the loggia of the 19th-century
Above Restaurant in Piazza della Repubblica, and a pleasant leafy terrace with Teatro Signorelli to the right. The
in the heart of Cortona wonderful views. Porta Garibaldi, palazzo houses the excellent Museo
the gateway to the town, leads to dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città
WHERE TO STAY Via Nazionale 2, Cortona’s main di Cortona (closed Mon Nov–Mar; www.
shopping street and home to the cortonamaec.org), full of Etruscan finds.
CORTONA Tourist Information Office Between the Palazzo and
Il Sole del Sodo inexpensive–moderate (open daily). Via Nazionale the Theatre, Via Casali
This central B&B is a luxury Tuscan opens out into beautiful leads down to the Piazza
experience offering rooms or suites.
Loc. Il Sodo 5/6, 52044; 0575 612 692; Piazza della Repubblica. del Duomo 6. The Chiesa
www.ilsoledelsodo.com Dominated by the stone di Santa Maria Assunta
bulk of the Palazzo del here has been rebuilt many
Villa Marsili moderate–expensive
This elegant hotel is at the busy end of Comune 3, the square is times in its long history
town, but the private villa garden and a mix of shops, wine bars from its origins as a pagan
terrace allows for relaxation in peace. and restaurants. Just off the temple. Little remains of
Viale C. Battisti 13, 52044; 0575 605 piazza, at No. 4, is the interest except some
252; www.villamarsili.net
Palazzo Cristofanello- Gourmet olive oil on Romanesque elements in
CASTIGLION FIORENTINO Laporelli 4, now a bank. sale in Cortona the façade. Opposite the
Villa Schiatti inexpensive Built in 1533, the building is Duomo is the Museo
This huge 19th-century villa, near the a striking architectural confection Diocesano (open daily; closed Mon in
Castello di Montecchio, has pleasant whose third floor of columns and winter), which holds work by Signorelli,
rooms and a pool. Close to walking trails.
Loc. Montecchio 131, 52043; 0575 651 pilasters looks like a Roman temple Fra Angelico (1395–1455) and Pietro
440; www.villaschiatti.it high above the square. Via Roma Lorenzetti (1280–1348).
leads straight to the northwest gate, From the museum, return to Piazza
AREZZO Porta Santa Maria. Around the right- Signorelli and the Teatro, often a
Graziella Patio Hotel moderate hand side of the staircase, take a few venue for summer concerts in the
A chic central boutique hotel, inspired steps into another square, Piazza Tuscan Sun Festival. Continue uphill
by the writings of Bruce Chatwin.
Via Cavour 23, 52100; 0575 401 962; Signorelli, named for Cortona’s famous to the piazzetta Croce del Travaglio
www.hotelpatio.it; no elevator Renaissance painter, Luca Signorelli. 7. The road ahead, Via Dardano,
VIA DARDANO 0 metres 70
Piazza del Duomo 0 yards 70

Teatro
VIA SANTUCC I VIA BERRET TINI
Signorelli Croce
del Travaglio V I A S A N N I C C O L Ò
V I A C A S A L I
PIAZZA
SIGNORELLI
Palazzo Casali V I A M A F F E I V I A M A F F E I V I A M A F F E I
V I A R O M A
San
V I A S A N M A R C O
Francesco
Palazzo del
V I A G H I B E L L I N A Palazzo REPUBBLICA V I C O L O D E L L ’ A M O R I N O VI A DELLA SANTISSIMA T R IN I TÀ
V I A M O N E T I
Comune
PIAZZA
DELLA
Cristofanello-Laporelli
Porta Berarda
V I A S A N B E N E D E T T O V I A G U E L F A V I A D E L G I A R D I N O V I A C O P P I Piazza Garibaldi
V I A N A Z I O N A L E
V I A D E L M E R C A T O
V I A M U R A D E L M E R C A T O
VICOLO PETRELLA
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200
200-205_Back_Roads_Northern_Italy.indd 204 06/10/17 3:05 pm
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