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Place:
Cortona
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Region:
Tuscany
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Evaluation: ****
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On the way up to Cortona, on the flank of the steep, wide hill, less than 1 km from this famous and interesting town originating in Etruscan times, you will see the large gate that leads inside the grounds and into the gardens of Villa al Muraglione. Lying in wonderful scenery, with a unique panorama of the whole of the valley, including in the distance the expanse of water that is Lake Trasimeno, the massive silhouette of Monte Amiata and constant downward slope of the hills as far as Pienza and Montepulciano. The villa is typically Tuscan in its architecture, and painted in the classic yellow ochre color. It has a simple, regular shape, which started out as a farmhouse in the 16th century, with 17th century additions which can be noticed in the neo-classical friezes and other characteristics, and there is also an unusual internal liberty-style staircase joining the 3 floors of the villa, and a frescoed family chapel showing bucolic scenes painted by a modern American artist. Different styles have mixed and blended together producing a whole that is unusual, charming and pleasing to the eye. The interior has antique terracotta floors, ceilings with wooden beams or with decorations, and the furnishings come from various different eras, all simply and elegantly arranged in a way that brings out the rural, pastoral nature of the original building: typical of this atmosphere is the old kitchen, which has preserved its original look, with a large fireplace where originally everything was cooked, where you warmed yourself and sometimes slept. It has a large central table and some antique sinks in pietra serena stone (the 'modern' kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher and oven has been made in a small space next to it, so as not to change the original layout). The terrace of the piano noblie offers a breathtaking view, with Cortona on the right and the whole of the valley of Val di Chiana stretching out in front. Outside are the large, terraced grounds/gardens, on the slope of the hill, which has an interesting, eclectic style, mixing some aspects of the Italian garden with the more picturesque style of the English gardens: and along the pathways lined with stones are terracotta statues, niches and plays of water, shady areas for resting, all of it charming and original. Next to the villa is a nice 7 x 14.5 meter swimming-pool, with a table for dining outside and further on a cool, shady area with a table and barbecue and dressing-room. The distance from Villa al Muraglione to Cortona can be covered on foot (a walk of about 1 km).
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Nearest town:
Arezzo
Distance:
29 km
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