Cortona is a city of ancient and mysterious origins which Perches high up on a hilltop and clearly be seen in all its splendour even from afar. Timelessly tucked into the hillside of Cortona is the majestic stone hermitage of Le Celle, the very first monastery built by St. Francis of Assisi in 1211. ‘The Noble City’ and ‘The City of Silence’ are just some of the names that have been given to the majestic hill town of Cortona, which was the setting for Frances Mayes' book ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’

 

Arezzo, city of Eutruscan origins, nestles high upon a hilltop, which slopes down to a wide plateau enfolding the Valdarno, Castentino and Valdichiana valleys. The majestic town graciously exhibits traces of the civilizations and traditions that have gone before. It was an important Roman Municipium in the Imperial period when after the fall of the Empire it came under Goth then Byzantine, Lombard and then Frankish rule. The late 11th century is regarded as the town’s greatest period of splendour when it became a free municipality. Arezzo has always been an important market for agricultural and animal products because of the fertile surrounding districts, and today the area is famous for its’ textiles and clothing, shoes, olive oil, antiques, and gold and jewellery crafts. Arezzo holds one of the oldest antiques markets in Italy on the first Sunday of every month, which is not to be missed!

 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

 

July & August, Valdarno Jazz summer Festival.

Celebrating its 11th anniversary in 2008, the Valdarno Jazz Summer Festival offers ten free concerts by top Italian and international artists, along with other music-related events. Performances take place in and around Arezzo.

 

July, Arezzo Wave Love Festival.

The Arezzo Wave Love Festival brings together established and emerging talent in a week-long celebration of the arts at the Stadio Comunale and other venues around the medieval town. Rock concerts, cinema, theatre, sport, comic and photography exhibitions, live performances and other events are all free to the public before 9pm.

 

August / september, Cortonantiquaria. Cortona.

Cortonantiquaria is Tuscany's biggest antiques fair staged in Cortona.  the fair attracts around 50 exhibitors from all over Italy to Palazzo Bagnotti.

 

August, Tuscan Sun Festival.

Cortona near Arezzo, hosts the annual Tuscan Sun Festival, one of Europe's most prestigious cultural events. From classical music to food, art exhibitions and alternative medicine.

 

January - February, Foiano della Chiana.

The Foinao Carnival in Arezzo is the oldest in the country which dates back to 1539.  the event is an object of pride for the locals, who spend all year planning and preparing for the event, and competeing to see who can design the best float!

 

AIRPORTS FOR THIS AREA:

Pisa 12 Km

Florence 74 Km

Perugia 92.8 Km

Bologna 180 km

 

VIEW MORE PROPERTIES IN INLAND TUSCANY:

Siena / San Gimignano

Florence / Chianti