On a mountainous relief located between the Valdichiana and the Tiber Valley rises the Etruscan village of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo, on the border between Tuscany and Umbria. It is an important cultural and tourist centre. It is very picturesque because of its typical medieval architecture, made up of ancient buildings, narrow cobbled alleys, small artisan shops and typical Tuscan trattorias. The town, enclosed by walls in which Etruscan and Roman traits are still visible, was built on a hill, which reaches about 600 meters in height. This elevated position guarantees an excellent view from different points of the city, which allows you to admire the beautiful landscapes of the Valdichiana, also seeing Lake Trasimeno.
The center of Cortona is developed around the Piazza della Repubblica, on which overlooks the Palazzo Comunale.The film Under the Tuscan Sun was shot almost entirely in Cortona and near the village Torreone, we can see the home of Frances Mayes, the famous villa "Bramasole". This name means "in need of sunshine" because it is located on a shady coast. The authenticity of the garden and the terraced vegetable garden is striking.
On the right of the house there is the niche of the "maestà" (as the little statues of the Madonna at the crossroads are called in Tuscany) where the old lover used to leave fresh flowers every day for his beloved.
