What is Christmas like in Cortona? Christmas in Cortona makes me feel as if I am still there. Such fun seeing so many friends who live and work in Cortona and make it such a special place. Thanks, AF Travel, for putting this together.
Christmas In Cortona, Tuscany ©AF TRAVEL
Click here and enjoy: Christmas in Cortona
Ciao,
Judy
Sunday, November 8, the people of Cortona celebrated National Unity and Armed Forces Day, or Giorno dell’Unità Nazionale e Festa delle Forze Armate.
Accompanied by the local marching band,
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dignitaries in dress uniform paid tribute
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and laid wreaths at the three beautiful monuments honoring those who served.
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Townspeople and tourists joined in the parade as it marched through town and ended at the entrance to the park. To view a short clip of the ceremony, click below.
Ciao,
Judy
The Archidado Joust, which occurs the second Sunday of June in Cortona, traces its origins back to the Middle Ages. It was created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding the Lord of Cortona to a noble woman from Siena. For several weeks in June, town’s people are dressed in medieval style and banners are hung representing the various quarters of the town. Competition is fierce for the crossbow event.
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But how does one learn to use a crossbow? Like other sports, it requires years and years of practice and training, often passed down from parent to child. To assist in this learning, The Compagnia Arcieri della Civetta (Bowmen of Owl Association) was established in July 2010.
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Its purpose is “to practice and spread archery by using historical bows and learning everything about this discipline, from knowing different timbers, knowing how to use hand crafted bows made by skilled archers, how to make arrows, and how to shoot them both towards fixed or moving targets.”
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The Association participates in tournaments in many towns all over Italy, and for the second year, in Cortona.
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Although the weather didn’t participate, the costumed participants put on quite a show.
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The Bowmen move in assigned groups and have specific times to attempt each target. Creative and challenging objects are placed around the town, some with moving targets such as below. Here, a string is pulled and the large black disc swings as a pendulum.
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Others are stationary, but no less difficult, as in needing to shoot though two openings to hit the target from quite a distance away.
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Some targets are placed at the end of tiny viccoli or streets; here a father is shielding his young bowmen from the rain…
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as others cheered them on.
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Participants carefully checked their status and timing at each station.
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After shooting, bowmen would examine their results and retrieve their arrows.
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as some of the junior members just tried to stay dry and warm.
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Later in the afternoon, the participants gathered and the winners were announced. A new event in an ancient city, reminding us of medieval times gone by.
Ciao,
Judy
This weekend, Cortona is hosting ChocoCortona, La Grande Festa del Cioccolato Artiginale, or festival of handcrafted chocolates.
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And what a selection there is. You can sign up for chocolate making lessons,
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observe various chocolate cooking shows,
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or simply wander the tents filled with chocolate delicacies.
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Some of the chocolates are especially creative:
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Cars, purses or shoes? ©Blogginginitaly.com
While others are just plain tempting…
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Fresh waffles or hot fudge covered fruit skewers ©Blogginginitaly.com
Covered nuts and fruits ©Blogginginitaly.com
Look no further for that kid in a candy shop…
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Or a happy messy one…
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Thinking of an after dinner liquor? So many flavors to choose from.
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But then why wait till after dinner when you can have a shot in a chocolate filled cup!
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However you like your chocolate, you’re sure to find it at ChocoCortona.
Ciao,
Judy
Two years ago, we bought a wonderful Allesandro Bulli watercolor from Ivan at Il Pozzo Galleria. We chose it because it depicts a view we see here daily – the view from Piazza Signorelli into Piazza Republicca. At home, it hangs over our breakfast room table and brings a smile to my face daily.
Allesandro Bulli
Late this afternoon, after a pretty steep 4.5 mile walk, we headed to Cacio Brillo for a glass of wine and some bruschette. As we sat, I felt as if I was sitting in our painting enjoying the same view, so I took a photo of it.
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At Cacio Brillo, we chose four bruschette: artichokes/pecorino, fresh tomatoes, fresh porcini mushrooms, and one liver pate for Len (not depicted!).
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Eating the bruschette and sipping some red wine, Len’s was Chianti and mine from Bolgheri, (western part of Tuscany), we took in the scenery as we enjoyed music from a flamenco guitarist in the piazza.
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Piazza life – such a civilized way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Ciao,
Judy
My Chicago Italian teacher, Giovanna, a Tuscan native, and her dear friends Clarissa and Sergio, who live about two hours away in Tuscany, have been with us for two beautiful days. We have walked, talked, climbed, dined, and been welcomed by our wonderful local friends who call this incredible town home.
Among other things, we visited two of our favorite eateries, Caffe Tuscher for appertivo and Prosecco –
Tuscher Caffe©Blogginginitaly.com
and AD Braceria for dinner…
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as well as our favorite gallery, Il Pozzo.
Il Pozzo ©Blogginginitaly.com
At each, not only were our visitors surprised by the creativity and quality of the food and art, they were also charmed by our friends, the proprietors, who willingly share their knowledge of the history of the ancient buildings that house their establishments.
One of the things I often tell people is that Cortona has a never-ending supply of surprises, and today did not disappoint. After emerging from the Cortonantiquaria, an important antique show that has been coming here for 55 years, we followed a drum beat to the central piazzas. Piazza Signorelli was filled with luxury autos…
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and in Piazza Repubblica, the flag bearers were performing to the beat of the drums.
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In addition, the weather was perfect – bright blue skies filled with sunshine and gentle breezes. Our friends proclaimed, “If we had ordered a perfect day, it would have been today!”
We ended the day at Le Celle, where St. Francis of Assisi spent part of his monastic life.
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At Le Celle, we noticed these caper bushes growing on the stone walls. Amazing nature.
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While we are having many visitors this fall, and look forward to sharing Cortona with them, it was particularly gratifying to see native Tuscans fall in love with Cortona. It is truly a special place – its ancient beauty, its warm people, and its fascinating history and culture. It is not a town that shuts down at sunset, nor a town that has an overabundance of tour groups. It is, as my friend Paula said, a town that works. Bravo Cortona.
Finally, I am proud to report that Giovanna and her friends were impressed with my Italian. When here, I am in language training 24/7, but I would never have progressed without Giovanna as my cara professoressa.
Grazie Giovanna, for coming to Cortona and for introducing us to your dear friends and now ours as well. Auguri!
AD Bracceria©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
For more on Le Celle, including photos and a short video I made a few years ago, please click here: https://blogginginitaly.com/2013/06/12/franciscan-hermitage-of-le-celle-cortona/
We often read of the demise of Italy as a major producer and exporter, so the following video was made to counter some of these less than favorable descriptions.
Per Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy,
The video “Italy the extraordinary commonplace” is designed to show Italy beyond stereotypes, a major producer of technological goods and the second European exporter in mechanical engineering and automation.
Since I love visiting Italy, I found this information to be great news. As for the format, well, leave it to the ever creative Italians. Thanks, Anna, for sharing.
Ciao,
Judy
Recently, I read an article in a Chicago paper about a local community that created a new and different type of outdoor space. It’s a place where restaurants, shops, pedestrians and vehicles commingle. While this may be new to an Illinois community, it is a way of life in much of Europe, something that I have long referred to as Piazza Life.
What is it about Italian Piazza Life that is so appealing? Just about everything.
Each piazza has its own borders, if you will, created by beautiful ancient buildings that have been repurposed. An old prison is now a museum, a villa now a bank, and a stable now an enoteca.
The center of the piazza may have a fountain or statue, or be empty and provide a stage for any number of diverse events. Nowhere is this better seen than in Cortona, where Piazza Life is a way of life.
While there are several piazzas in Cortona, the two main ones are Piazza Republicca and Piazza Signorelli. They are physically adjacent to one another, yet each has its own identity and events.
You know you are in Piazza Republicca when you are facing the grand staircase of the Municipio or Municipal building.
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While it is used for several city functions, it also provides a beautiful setting for many weddings where everyone in the piazza seems to join in the celebration.
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In this piazza, you can sit in or outside of a number of cafes; shop at a grocery store, fruit market, wine store, or florist; and buy shoes, handbags, linens, and even a borselino, all actually made in Italy.
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People gather, some doing their morning shopping, others stopping for a chat with friends.
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Cars and cyclists navigate through pedestrians of all ages, and pop up performers are a common site.
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Celebrations commemorating historical events are held here.
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And while the piazzas are significantly quieter in the winter, they still draw people together for such delights as the incredible Christmastime lamp lighting celebration.
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Piazza Signorelli, the adjacent Piazza, is also breathtaking in its beauty, whether bathed in sunshine
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or glowing in the moonlight.
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Piazza Life provides a daily local gathering venue, be it day or night, for spontaneous and scheduled events, including
kids playing soccer;
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local musicians;
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vintage car enthusiasts;
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food and antique vendors;
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annual traditions;
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marching bands;
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and avid sports fans.
Whether you find yourself almost alone in an ancient Piazza, (and yes it is possible!)…
or surrounded by friends you have not yet made,
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just be prepared to be amazed by the sights and sounds.
Piazza Life – wonderful! …and no reservation required.
Ciao,
Judy
Looking for an afternoon snack?
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and a few added reds?
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Throw in a little romance…
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And something to toast with…
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Salute!
Ciao,
Judy
Lee Ann Womack’s signature song, written by Tia Sillers and Mark Sanders, is called “I Hope You Dance”. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and also the Country Music Award for Song Of The Year in 2001, and for good reason – it has such a great “hook” line:
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
Last night, at about 11:30 PM, the lyrics of the song came to me as we joined others in Piazza Republicca after dinner. A band was playing, people were gathering, and a few of us started dancing with the lead singer. Surrounded by ancient buildings, the words seem to fit perfectly for old and young alike…
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, (Go Len!)
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I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, (or amazing antiquities!)
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(or comfortable dancing with the lead singer!)
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