Cortona Local Customs

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I was fortunate to visit Tuscany with summer coming to an end. The flowers were still in full bloom and the colors were unreal. Everything was lush and alive from the olive trees, the flowers and the rolling hills of grass.

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Italy is a Catholic country. Many houses/villas have their own religious statues, alters, chapels or sanctuaries on their property for religious devotion. Liz's family has their own chapel on their property which is very beautiful and charming. The inside is simply decorated with religious artwork and the centerpiece is a painting of the Madonna and child.

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One of the wonderful experiences of Tuscany was walking through the olives groves of the villa. Actually seeing and feeling the trees that produce such wonderful olives for the oil we so enjoy was amazing. We will definitely come back one FAll for the olive harvest.

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In town there was a man operating an organ looking device. He fed tablets that looked like a music box's sheet music into the device and turned the crank in the back. Pretty music flowed out for all in the square to enjoy. Children were mezmorized and enjoyed placing coins in his tip cup while others sat on benches and listened in.

On August 15th (the Assumption) Cortona becomes a carnivores paradise in which huge barbeque pits are fired up and roast Tuscan T-bones from morning to night. Really a lot of fun and an event in which tourist mixes with local. Don't miss it!

Throughout the town we discovered several stone fountains that were used for drinking and washing. Most structures were located on streest with numerous houses; I' assuming as a communal fountain.

In the Summer Months the town has movies under the stars. Townspeople gather on the stone benches and bring theri own chairs to watch movies in the beautiful summer night air.