Casa Beata - Cortona, Italy - Details

Cortona, a walled medieval hilltown of Etruscan origin, is one of Italy's oldest cities and is located on the slopes of Mt. San Egidio with spectacular views over the Valdichiana, Mt. Amiata, and Lago Trasimeno.

In central Tuscany about midway between Rome & Florence, Cortona is convenient to both the A1 (Autostrada del Sole) and SS326 (Siena-Perugia Superstrada) as well as the Camucia & Terontola train stations. The location and excellent transportation connections make Cortona a superb base for touring the rest of Tuscany (e.g. Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Penza) and Umbria (e.g. Assisi, Gubbio, & Perugia).

Cortona, a lively city with numerous restaurants, shops, and events throughout the year, has been blessed over many centuries with a wealth of famous citizens, structures, and artifacts. There are many important historical buildings, artwork, and archaeological sites in the city and nearby. For those with hiking or biking interests, there are numerous routes outside the city walls (several partly on original Etruscan or Roman roads) which have been laid out by the Club Alpino Italiano.

Cortona is also the home of Bramasole and is featured in Frances Mayes' book "Under the Tuscan Sun" as well as the movie by the same name (released in the USA Sept. 26, 2003).

Casa Beata is a large and luminous apartment in Cortona's historic city center. It is listed on the national historical register and was recently restored with a discerning eye to historical accuracy. It is lovingly furnished with antiques and reproductions predominantly in the "Impero" and "Luigi Filipo" styles. The apartment is on the "noble" floor of the building and was home to several noble Cortonese families for more than 600 years - from the mid-1300s to the mid-1900s. There are numerous frescoes - both on several domed ceilings (one fresco believed to date to the early 1600s) and the walls.

The apartment is on one level and is about 180 square meters (&1,935 sq. ft.) in area with most ceilings ranging from 12.5' to 14' in height. The main door leads into an ingresso (receiving room) with frescoed dome & walls and tile floor with inlays. From there, a door opens into a grand living area (salone) with chandelier and tile floors with inlay; doors lead off the salone to the kitchen/dining area and a domed corridor. From the corridor you can enter the first bathroom, a bedroom with a domed ceiling, or the more private area of the apartment (which has a master suite - bedroom and sitting/living room; a second bath; and another bedroom). The master suite and the bedroom next to it have double (matrimoniale) beds and the third bedroom has two twin (singolo) beds. There are two large tiled bathrooms, one with a large shower and the other with a tub/shower. In the pranzo/cucina or combined dining area/kitchen, there is a fireplace which has been hand-carved from the local "pietra serena" stone.

From the large windows, the apartment has praiseworthy views over either the Valdichiana valley or the tile roofs of Cortona from most of the rooms. The apartment is near the main piazzas, museums, restaurants/cafes, and parking.

Casa Beata consists of 10 rooms, with 2 bathrooms. There are 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with large dining area and fireplace, a great room (salone), and a sitting room outside the master bedroom. It sleeps six (6) people very comfortably (2 BR w/double (matrimoniale) beds and 1 BR w/two singolo beds).

Utilities included in the rental with the exception of phone charges, which will be deducted from the security deposit at the end of your stay. The house is cleaned prior to your checkin and furnished with fresh bed linens and towels. Additional maid service is available at additional cost upon prior arrangement. Additional services (e.g. customized tours, dinners, tastings, equestrian activities, bike/scooter rental) can be arranged (at additional charge) if requested at time of booking.

*No smoking in the apartment.
*No pets allowed.
*No young children.