Entire home
Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City
Photo gallery for Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City





Reviews
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61184.0 sq ft
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City
This was the house of two very famous people: in the 1200's it was the house of Santa Margherita (the Patron Saint of Cortona) and her son and beloved dog ( she can be visited in the Sanctuary at the top of the city where she rests for all to see in her glass coffin). And in the middle 19oo's the famous Professor Charles van Doren who was mixed up in the largest quiz scandal ever to shake American television. He was also the author of a three volume novel about the life of medieval life in Cortona.
Completely Renovated the town-house has upstairs air conditioning, washer & drier, gas heat, wi-fi, 2 Flat screen smart tv's with dish, Marble Bathrooms, with two entrances- one on main street and one on lower level to a Calle, with little picnic table. A new kitchen with full size refrigerator and new gourmet stove. Lower level has floor heating.
Inside the ancient walls of Cortona, just steps away from fine dining, elegant shops and wonderful Cultural Events.
Perhaps best known these days as the setting for the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” (written by Frances Mayes), gorgeous hillside Cortona has a long history dating back even before it's time as an important Etruscan center. Top attractions include the Duomo (Cathedral), the small Museo Diocesano across the piazza with its superb art collection, and the fascinating Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca with its assembly of Etruscan and Roman era items. Cortona is also bursting with splendid churches spanning many periods. San Nicolo has two marvelous paintings of Luca Signorelli, one of the great Renaissance painters who is also a son of this town. The small opera house houses concerts throughout the summer and in the weekends will convert into a cinema.
The town house is unique as it is spread throughout three floors. First floor
(Lower Level) houses bedroom, separate bath with shower and separate laundry room. Here is also the entrance to the cute little ally with a patio behind the home. The main level that has the main entrance onto the street via Moneti. It has a living area , a new kitchen, fireplace, eating area and reading nook.
The top floor is the master suite consisting of a king size bed and beautiful new marble bath with skylight. Spectacular views of the Chiana valley.
Completely Renovated the town-house has upstairs air conditioning, washer & drier, gas heat, wi-fi, 2 Flat screen smart tv's with dish, Marble Bathrooms, with two entrances- one on main street and one on lower level to a Calle, with little picnic table. A new kitchen with full size refrigerator and new gourmet stove. Lower level has floor heating.
Inside the ancient walls of Cortona, just steps away from fine dining, elegant shops and wonderful Cultural Events.
Perhaps best known these days as the setting for the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” (written by Frances Mayes), gorgeous hillside Cortona has a long history dating back even before it's time as an important Etruscan center. Top attractions include the Duomo (Cathedral), the small Museo Diocesano across the piazza with its superb art collection, and the fascinating Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca with its assembly of Etruscan and Roman era items. Cortona is also bursting with splendid churches spanning many periods. San Nicolo has two marvelous paintings of Luca Signorelli, one of the great Renaissance painters who is also a son of this town. The small opera house houses concerts throughout the summer and in the weekends will convert into a cinema.
The town house is unique as it is spread throughout three floors. First floor
(Lower Level) houses bedroom, separate bath with shower and separate laundry room. Here is also the entrance to the cute little ally with a patio behind the home. The main level that has the main entrance onto the street via Moneti. It has a living area , a new kitchen, fireplace, eating area and reading nook.
The top floor is the master suite consisting of a king size bed and beautiful new marble bath with skylight. Spectacular views of the Chiana valley.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties

Tuscany as it once was
Tuscany as it once was
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor space
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (40 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
We should mention
All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed USD 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Cortona
Located in Cortona, this holiday home is in the city centre. Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial and Casali Palace are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Tennis Club Castiglionese and Fattoria Le Capezzine. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby power boating, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails, horse riding and mountain biking.

Cortona
What's nearby
- Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Piazza della Repubblica - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Signorelli Theatre - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Cortona Cathedral - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
- Santa Margherita Basilica - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Caffe La Saletta - 3 min walk
- Ristorante La Loggetta - 3 min walk
- Cortona Bistrot - 3 min walk
- Trattoria Etrusca - 3 min walk
- Trattoria Toscana - 3 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Check-in
9.6/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Dawn P.
12 Sept, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
3 weeks in Italy
Dawn P.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
saynor f.
6 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved location
saynor f.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Arthur P.
2 Aug, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Arthur P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Renee M.
13 Feb, 2015
Incredible!
Renee M.
10/10 Excellent
Amelia Rea M.
1 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
WOW. Great Tuscan Location and Stay in Cortona
Amelia Rea M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
8/10 Good
Edward d.
1 Sept, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Historical property
Edward d.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Beth B.
20 Jun, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Stay
Beth B.
Stayed 17 nights in Jun 2022
8/10 Good
Elizabeth S.
27 Dec, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Girls trip to Italy
Elizabeth S.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jeanie W.
4 Nov, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Cortona gem!
Jeanie W.
Stayed 19 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Martha L.
3 Oct, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
History accommodation
Martha L.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Konstantin V.
7 Aug, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot of land
Konstantin V.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
8/10 Good
Tobias G.
17 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
landestypisches Haus in wundervoller Umgebung
Tobias G.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael C.
3 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing beauty around every corner
Michael C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael H.
23 May, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacation under the Tuscan sun
Michael H.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
10/10 Excellent
paul C.
8 Apr, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Cortona
paul C.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
10/10 Excellent
Frank M.
22 Nov, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous views in a terrific Cortona neighborhood
Frank M.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2021
10/10 Excellent
Marie-Hélène B.
18 Aug, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Une très jolie maison historique sur un air de dolce vità !
Marie-Hélène B.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Mark N.
13 Aug, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sehr schönes Haus mitten in der Altstadt
Mark N.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Tara S.
12 Aug, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Top 5 Best Places to Stay EVER
Tara S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
8/10 Good
Ted H.
10 Sept, 2018
Beautiful cozy villa on the hills of Cortona
Ted H.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2018
10/10 Excellent
Kathleen F., San Rafael
25 Jun, 2018
Charming, authentic home dating back to the 1300’s
Kathleen F.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018
10/10 Excellent
christopher c.
4 Jun, 2018
Great place!
christopher c.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Diane O.
1 Jul, 2017
Charmingly decorated and very comfortable. Wonderful view of valley and lake from various windows.
Diane O.
Stayed 46 nights in May 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Jahn G.
23 Mar, 2017
Beautiful home in a beautiful location.
Jahn G.
About the host
Hosted by Hill Town Tours
Ron and Ellen fell in love with Italy over 20 years in the process of searching for his grandfather’s birthplace. Return family visits led them to Cortona and a decision to stay. They are both health professionals; Ellen a retired nursing professor/administrator and Ron a practicing psychoanalyst.
Why they chose this property
Both the House and the town have a unique pull. The emblem above the front door serves to prove that the casa was once inhabited by St. Margherita - patron saint of Cortona. St Margherita is usually depicted with her trusty dog. Cortona is a lovely town with plenty to do on its own but its proximity to Rome and Florence can not be overlooked.
What makes this property unique
Inside Walls Of Cortona.. a stroll to all the wonderful amenities of Cortona. 1 1/2 hour train into Florence..2 1/4 hour train in to Rome. Not to mention Arezzo with it's famous antigue market every first weekend of the month. You can see Montepulciano across the valley and siena is only 40 minutes away. In short: you are in the center of it all, and the opportunity for excursions are endless.
Languages:
English, Italian
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback




























