One of the things that makes Cortona unusual is the amount of art one can see in this lovely town. Two incredible museums, as well as many churches, are home to magnificent art and/or artifacts. Surely these are not to be missed.
But once you fall in love with the town, how can you take a piece of it home? That’s easy. Visit Il Pozzo.
Il Pozzo, meaning the well, is located just off the busy Via Nazionale. It doesn’t take long to get caught up in the music and art that fill the senses before even entering the gallery.
And while wonderful art treasures await, so does an unexpected architectural journey.
Meet Ivan, proprietor with his wife Loriana. Ivan is as happy to show you around the building and share its history as he is finding the right treasure for you to take home. He also speaks English quite well!
Paraphrasing and borrowing from their website description,
The voices of the busy Via Nazionale seem centuries of history away…
Visitors can contemplate the medieval ambiance uncovered two levels below the modern-day street, tastefully returned to the light with its ancient aspect and functionality.
One should not miss the unique well “ad ampolla” from which the Gallery “Il Pozzo” takes its name and in which there are traces of the ancient knowledge and architectural skill of the Etruscans ancestors’ civilization.
Here, nothing is left to happenstance and every wall, every nook and every shelf becomes a frame for an interesting detail, underlining the value of the artistic and artisan objects displayed.
The attention and interest of the visitor is fed with the variety of the paintings, photographs, prints, books, engravings, ceramics,
and artisan crafts such as leather-covered books, hand crafted papers, jewels and objects in glass
which are an integral part of the history and customs of Tuscany.
The Gallery “Il Pozzo” can be summed up as an encounter between Cortona and the visitor.
That said, it seems to correspond to the high level of historic and artistic tradition of the homeland of Signorelli, of Pietro Berrettini and of Gino Severini.
Everything here seems to court the taste and artistic sensibilities of the refined tourist of the new century.
This past summer, we found an original watercolor that seemed to have our name on it. Wonderful art has that quality – it somehow speaks to its eventual owner. Lucky for us, we brought some of ancient Cortona back to our home through this beautiful work by Allesandro Bulli. Not a day goes by that we don’t enjoy looking at it and reliving a story.
For us, this vividly captures many of our daily stops: morning cappuccino at a cafe, a local enoteca, the grocery store, a bit of the two main piazzas, a restaurant overlooking the historic center, etc.
Whether you are just browsing or looking for something special to purchase, there is never any pressure at Il Pozzo. If you do find something for yourself or for a gift, Ivan will carefully and beautifully prepare it for its journey home.
And, of course, prepare you an espresso while you wait!
So be sure to put Il Pozzo on your list of places to visit in Cortona, and tell Ivan and Loriana that Judy sent you. Your visit will be fun and fabulous, and give you the opportunity to take a little piece of Cortona home with you too. We’re so happy we did!
Ciao,
Judy
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