Cortona is always very busy, in a great part due to the success of 'Under the Tuscan Sun', so finding a parking spot in this steep hilltop town is not easy. After about half an hour of hovering in parking areas I had the thought that there should be parking at the cemetery ... and there was. In the shade in an olive grove near the cemetery walls we parked and walked back up the hill to Porta Santa Maria. Remember that for next time!
This must be one of the most beautiful cemeteries anywhere. It is neo-classical in design and was built in the mid 1800s.
Once inside the gates of Cortona there is a feast of sights for a photographer. It is a hill top town so there are many steps and scenic views. Stepped laneways are especially enticing, and difficult to capture.
Cortona is a classy town with leather being of major interest. Stylish shoes, lots of purses and bags of all shapes and colours, women's clothing, art works and art supplies, ceramics, typical local products and food. Many restaurants, bars and gelaterie line the streets.
Our main purpose was to have lunch at a favourite place, the Caffè del Teatro, in Piazza Signorelli. It is situated in the foyer of the theatre with great people watching opportunities over the piazza. We love the food here.j
Kelly enjoying making a selection from the menu.
First we shared bruschette.
He had ravioloni with 'grouper e scorpio' (fish). Buonissimo!
I returned to an old favourite, stuffed gnocchi with fresh truffles.
After lunch we strolled down to the Duomo to look at the view but we found something even better. A bronze sculpture by a local artist Andrea Roggi. The work is called 'The Tree of Life'. See my next post for more photos and detail.
The promised thunderstorm was gathering and the light was dull so we headed for home. We took the route via Tuoro and Passignano, circling Lago Trasimeno as we went. The raindrops did fall but luckily we missed the thunderstorms.
Hmmmm....maybe we need to try Caffe del Teatro. Looks yummy!
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