When you spend time in Italy, you quickly learn the value of a Tabacchi. It is a place to buy bus and train tickets, stamps, postcards, gum, candy, lozenges, etc.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
You can recharge a phone card, buy a lottery ticket, often send a fax, and at most tabacchis, sort through various dollar store types of souvenirs. And yes, the word Tabacchi means tobacco, so, that too.
But when is a tabacchi much more than a tabacchi? When you find this large “T” sign and awning on Via Nazionale in Cortona. Then it’s a destination.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
No matter how often I visit, there is always something new and creative to see. And the best news? Most items are actually Made in Italy, many from local and nearby artisans. Here are some examples.
These purses, ornaments and wallets are made from old sheet music, newsprint and/or comic pages, formed into shapes, laminated, and then woven together.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
There are numerous prints of familiar Tuscan scenes, towns, buildings and monuments, available in many shapes and sizes,
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©Blogginginitaly.com
as well as whimsical pieces of art.
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Sara Lovari©Blogginginitaly.com
As for me, I can never have enough kitchen towels, especially when they depict places I’ve visited or recipes I want to remember.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Planning to attend Carnevale in Venice or a Mardi Gras party? They’ve got you covered.
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There is beautiful pastel stationery, as well as bound journals, all hand-made with 100% cotton paper, and each journal is individually embossed.
Traditional Florentine notecards and ornamental angels come in a rainbow of colors.
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Need a birthday or anniversary card? There’s an abundance to choose from.
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Italians love beautifully fragranced soaps, especially Campostrini soaps that have been produced in Firenze since 1894.
Like so many businesses in Cortona, Il Pozzo Artisan’s Gallery and Tabacchi is family owned and operated, and generally open daily. If you’ve been to Cortona, you probably recognize these faces.
(L-R) Marta, Ivan, Loriana, Thomas©Blogginginitaly.com
Ivan speaks English well and is an incredible resource for most questions, whether about an artist, a painting, the Etruscans, or local antiquities. It’s no wonder many of us consider him Cortona’s ambassador.
If you are heading to Cortona, be sure to add this wonderful place to your list. You’ll be so happy you did!
And one last note: At the back of the tabacchi, take the winding staircase down one flight to visit the beautiful Il Pozzo Galleria. In addition to seeing many more interesting and beautiful works of art, you will also see an ancient well, or pozzo, hence the name Il Pozzo. Ivan actually uncovered the well during excavation, but I’ll leave that story to him.
For more info and photos on Il Pozzo Galleria, please click below:
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
You reminded me of taking my young daughter for a walk along the river in Florence and going into a paper store and seeing them make their beautiful and famous marbled paper in the back – no two alike. Just gorgeous.
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I agree – it makes you want to sit down and write a letter – longhand!
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Just bought a “little piece of Cortona” from Ivan at Il Pozzo today. Yes, his gallery and Tabacchi are both something not to be missed when visiting this lovely town!!
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You are so right, and I might guess that today’s purchase was not your first – or last, for that matter! 🙂
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Ivan and his family are true treasures of Cortona. They are good friends to me and most people who wander into their shops. Ivan is always enthusiastic about helping residents and tourists visiting Cortona. I co direct painting workshops every year in Cortona and my participants always point to Il Pozzo as one of their high points of their week long stay.
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Fred, You are so right – true treasures! Thanks for your note.
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Brings back wonderful memories. Hi to all!
The Gordons
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Incredible!
I thought Tabacchis were primarily for cappuccino or a night cap
Thanks for the information
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Sometimes a tabacchi is attached to a bar, hence the confusion. But as you can see, not the case with this one.
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Those purses made out of music sheets are simply beautiful! What remarkable talent they have!!
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I agree – so creative! I have already purchased a few for gifts.
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Such a great place to pick up “take home” presents. Italian as well as inexpensive!!! Good pic, Judy!
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Agree – have found many great gifts there, including for myself :- ) Thanks!
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Charming tribute to one of my favorite places in Cortona!!!
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Thanks, Frances, certainly one of ours too, and as you know so well, a place all visitors should add to their Cortona to do list!
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