Cortona (Tuscany)

Cortona is a town and comune in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany. It is the main cultural and artistic center of the Val di Chiana after Arezzo. In 2000 Cortona established Cortona DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). The goal is controlling and protecting the wines of D.O.C. Currently, Cortona DOC has 29 members and produce and control 14 different types of wines. The prevailing character of Cortona’s architecture is medieval with steep narrow streets situated on a hillside at an elevation of 600 meters (2,000 ft) that embraces a view of the whole of the Valdichiana. Parts of the Etruscan city wall can still be seen today as the basis of the present wall. The main street, via Nazionale, is the only street in the town with no gradient and is still usually referred to by locals by its older name of Ruga Piana. Other sights are the Diocesan Museum, the beautiful Santa Margherita Sanctuary, patron of the city, and to the Girifalco Fortress. Cortona hosts several events amongst which the Fiera del Rame (copperware market – late April), the Giostra dell’Archidado, a costume cross-bow competition (in May), the Steak Festival (August 15th), the Antique Fair (late August-early September), the Tuscan Sun Festival, (August).

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Recipes From Tuscany

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Castagnaccio is a traditional sweet treat from Tuscany, made with chestnut flour and marvelous for fall.

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The first chilly fall evenings call for a satisfyingly hearty grain and legume soup.

Recipes

Pappa al pomodoro---a piatto povero, “poor-man’s dish,” is another such creation by Tuscan farmers to make use of stale bread and bumper crops of tomatoes, a New World food introduced into Italy in the 16thc.

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Made with an olive oil-enrichened bread dough and studded with fresh rosemary and sweet sultanas, these delightfully sticky, criss-crossed buns were traditionally served on giovedì santo or Holy Thursday in the Renaissance city.

What others are saying about Tuscany

Hello, I'd be grateful for your thoughts about geometra's fees and processes.  We have a (tiny!) house in Tuscany that we are wanting to extend (under the 20% permitted development) and have approached a geometra (recommended to us by our estate agent).  We have been quoted 7,400 euros +VAT +CNPA

@info_50 asks:

Hello,

Im seeking an Experienced & Fully-certified English-speaking GENERAL CONTRACTOR (PROJECT MANAGER) for a Tuscan home Im seeking to renovate in the Massa Carrara vicinity.

If you are this person or have knowledge of such an individual, do pass me their coordinates.

Ok...all good so far...hope all you wonderful people are ok...