isola di cortona

In Val di Chiana, in proximity of downtown Cortona, shines Isola di Cortona,a little oasis of peace and wellness, immersed in the typical Tuscan country landscape.

Cortona, a short portrait

Cortona is an art-town, internationally well known for its history and the surrounding breathtaking landscape,and for its importance as a reference point for several international cultural institutions.


Cortona is located in southern Tuscany, equidistant between Rome and Florence. It can be reached by the “Autostrada del Sole” (Highway A1 exit “Valdichiana”), by train (on the line Rome Florence-Milan, station of Camucia), or by plane using the airports of Rome, Florence and Pisa. By train it takes 1 hour and twenty minutes to reach Florence. Distance from Milan: 410 km, from Rome 200 Km, from Florence 115 Km, from Pisa 210 Km, from Siena 70 Km, from Perugia 50 Km and from Arezzo 30 Km. From Cortona it is possible to reach several beautiful historic towns in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio in less than one hour. A very clear road system, with a low level of traffic, makes it very easy to travel in and around the entire area. Florence, Perugia and Siena can be reached by car within one hour; Arezzo can be reached by car in half an hour, while Rome is only one and a half hours away.

Cortona’s Location

Cortona

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Cortona’s Location

Florence

Arezzo

SienaPerugia

Cortona


Cortona’s long history starting from Etruscan times, to the Renaissance till the present makes this historical town a tourist destination of great interest. In Cortona one is content to just look at the beautiful antique buildings immersed in tranquility where every stone has a story to tell. In Cortona all one has to do is to look out over the Etruscan walls to enjoy the beauty of the panorama surrounding the town.

The downtown

Cortona has an atmosphere all its own, magical and mystical, that can be fully appreciated visiting the Fortress or the nearby “Eremo of the Celle” founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. The character of the town facilitates social intercourse: nightlife is very pleasant enjoying a traditional meal, taking part in one of the special events or simply walking through the serene streets of the historical center.

Cortona’s Atmosphere

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The downtown / Cortona’s Atmosphere


Art lovers and archeology enthusiasts can satisfy their curiosity by visiting Cortona’s two important museums: the “Diocesano”, which includes works by Luca Signorelli and the “Etruscan Academy”, which has recently been enriched with important Etruscan findings. The “Accademia Etrusca e del Comune” is located in the ancient Palazzo Casali, also housing a valuable library of “Codici Miniati” and the “Feltrinelli Foundation”. The “Feltrinelli Foundation” organizes seminars and international political studies in this palazzo. Additionally, the monastery of Sant’Agostino, which has been recently restored, is a popular venue for International meetings and conferences.

Art & Culture

During spring and summer numerous folkloristic and cultural events are held in Cortona, such as “La Giostra dell’Archidado” and the “Cortona Dance Vintage Festival”. Centerpiece of the season is the “Tuscan Sun Festival”, which takes place in August. Its program is centered on musical performances of renowned artists with a rich side program of further cultural, artistic and gastronomical events. During the winter season there are numerous theatrical presentations and films.

Events & Entertainment

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Art & Culture / Events & Entertainment


Trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding are possible on the Apennine hills that are close by, along with swimming, soccer and tennis.An 18-hole golf course in nearby Manzano is being built and will be ready soon. A number of excellent restaurants offer a wide gastronomical choice from traditional Tuscan dishes to groundbreaking and experimental cooking, all accompanied by the fine wines produced in Cortona, which can now claim the prestigious DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) label. From Cortona it is easy to take day trips to such tourist attractions as Florence, Rome, Siena, S. Giminiano, Montepulciano, Pienza, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi and Lake Trasimeno. For all of these attributes and many more, Cortona has become a very attractive destination for British and American individuals who enjoy the lovely atmosphere of its hills and often make Cortona their second home. A recent example is the American writer Frances Mayes, whose book “Under the Tuscan Sun” surely helped to increase the popularity of Cortona in the English-speaking world.

Wellness

Learning & SchoolPrestigious universities, both European and American, have sponsored various courses and seminars in Cortona. The Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and the University of Georgia hold regular courses for their students, who are housed in dormitories situated in historical buildings together with all other necessary facilities. The University of Texas is based in the near town of Castiglion Fiorentino where a number of courses are taught every year. Every summer the University of North Carolina holds a painting course in Cortona.

For more info about Cortona and its surroundings, please visit: www.comunedicortona.it - www.cortonaweb.net

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Learning & School / Wellness

Isola di Cortona

Isola di Cortona

The Isola di Cortona dwelling was originally built in the eighteen century as a farm compound, a group of “casali” (typical local country houses) that restored or rebuilt.Now the Isola di Cortona property is a gated community accessed through a common entrance from a country road. It consists of six single family “casali”, each with private garden, which are suitable for year-round living as well as to pleasant vacation periods in all seasons. The residential compound comprises a common area near the entrance, which can be built to suit specific interests for common activities, such as meetings, theater and music performances, tennis court, volleyball and football fields, putting green.A small parking lot and a helicopter landing pad are foreseen.

Isola di Cortona is situated in a lovely rural setting surrounded by wide open fields.From the property one can enjoy the unobstructed views of the nearby hills as well as views of the town of Cortona itself.

Isola di Cortona2

Isola di Cortona

Isola di Cortona

LocationIsola di Cortona is only five minutes drive from the borgo of Fratta - Santa Caterina where there is a post office, two small restaurants, bars, a pharmacy and a variety of stores, plus a recently built top hospital.In Camucia, about 10 - 12 minutes away, and in Cortona, about 15 minutes away, are larger specialized stores (gourmet and every day groceries, arts and crafts, clothing, etc) and all the services, such as banks, insurances, contractors, car repair and rentals etc. The private runway in Manciano can be reached within a 15 minute drive. An 18-hole golf course in nearby Manzano is being built and will be ready soon.

- Manciano Airport (a 15 minutes drive)Only private and lightweigh planes and helicopters

- Perugia Airport (a 1 hour drive)Small commercial plane and helicopters rentals connection to London

- Florence Airport (a 1½ hour drive)Connection to main airports in Europe

- Pisa Airport (a 2 hour drive)Connection to european cities and New York

- Rome Airport (a 2 hour drive)Connection to european and world cities

- Rail Road Station in Camucia (a 10 minute drive)Train travel to Rome: 2 hourTrain travel to Florence: 1½ hour

- By car on highwayTo Rome: 1½ hour - To Florenec: 1 hourTo Siena: 40 minutes - To Perugia: 1 hour

ISOLA DI CORTONA

La Fratta

Camucia

Cortona

Foiano inVal di Chiana

CastiglionFiorentino

HighwayA1

ExitVal di Chiana

Perugia â

á A

rezzo

Perugia â

Rail RoadStation

á R.R. Florence

R.R. Rome â

á Siena

á Florence

Rom

e â

MancianoAirport

Golf Club

ExitMonte S. Savino

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Location

ISOLA DICORTONA

Cortona â

á Highway A1

La Fratta

Isola di Cortona

The quality of design, of construction and all of the amenities, both inside and outside the houses, offer a high performance in terms of functions and afford a luxurious living standard.

The entire area is protected by very stringent local zoning laws as they were originally conceived centuries ago; no new construction can be added on old or new sites, only the existing rural buildings can be restored or rebuilt.Isola di Cortona project has attained full approval of the zoning authorities.

The images in this publication correspond to the approved project and to the parts completed through December 2010.

Warning: during the later stages of implementation some details can be changed, to make them more adequate to the character of the environment and the needs of users.

Design Features6

Design Features

Isola di Cortona

CharacteristicsAim of the project is to offer very comfortable living solutions within the building tradition of the locality. With this in mind, a few new houses have been built along with the renovation of the existing old ones, in a way to represent a typical rural village of the Valdichiana.

The building materials are carefully chosen, and include chestnut wood, cotto (terra cotta) and lime plaster. The most up-to-date materials are used for the heating, electrical and water systems in each house. The plants, chosen for the common and private areas, are native of the Valdichiana.

Each casale is built on a lot designed to provide privacy and beautiful panoramic views. An air conditioning system has been installed in all rooms together with an independent heating system. A sophisticated alarm system will be installed in all houses.A system of pipes connected to a solar panels installation has been constructed.A very comfortable outside living space is provided in each house: •Heated swimming pool (with outdoor shower) •Jacuzzi •A large-size external covered area•Fully landscaped area around each house •Car port

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Characteristics

Isola di Cortona

The Houses (Casali)

Isola di Cortona when fully rebuilt will appear as a small “borgo” located at distance of half a mile from other similar farmhouses scattered at the base of Cortona.The six country villas fully respect the rural spirit of this timeless Tuscan countryside. In no way they upset the harmony of the area which has become world famous for its poetic beauty.

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The Houses (Casali)

La Casa del Mezzajolo

La Fornace

Il Casino di caccia

Il Granaio

La Foresteria

La Casa del Fattore

Isola di Cortona

La casa del MezzajoloIn this large house lived the Mezzajolo (tenant farmer) and his family. The Mezzajolo was an important figure during the reclamation of Val di Chiana, which occurred in the 18th century.

The coat of arms of the Knights of Santo Stefano (better known as the Knights of Malta), which can still be seen in the façade center, show that the Isola settlement once belonged to the Granduca’s farm system.

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Ground floor.•PinkApartment:Spaciouslivingroomwithafireplace.Kitchen/diningroom. Half bathroom.•BlueApartment:Aspaciouslivingareawithfireplace.Eat-inkitchenwithin the living room. Half bathroom.

First floor. •PinkApartment:Masterbedroom,withbathroom.Twobedroomswithone bathroom.•BlueApartment:twobedroomsandonebathroom.

Outdoors•Coveredlivingarea•Swimmingpool,withshowerarea•FamilysizeJacuzzi•Carportfor3to4carsinfrontofthehouse•Privategardenandfieldsofapprox.2230sq.m.

The casale can be divided in two apartments: the smaller is shown in blue. The division in two apartments allows for a more practical partial utilisation of the use by a smaller group of people, maintaining the high level of comfort offered by the whole house.

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La casa del Mezzajolo

Isola di Cortona

Il granaioThe granary was originally used to store food and was always built close to the farmer’s house.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground floor:Coveredentranceway/smallporch.Spaciouslivingroomwithfireplace.Kitchen/diningroom.Bedroomwithbathroom.Storageroom,andexternal staircase to first floor, in addition to interior stairs.

First floor:Two very large bedrooms, each with private bathroom. Balcony in the hallway


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Il granaio

Isola di Cortona

La casa del fattoreAt the center of the “Borgo” this Casale was built in two phases, a typical procedure of the local rural areas.

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Ground floor:Coveredentranceway/smallporch.Twoadjoininglivingroomswithfireplace. Formal dining room. Eat-in kitchen. One bedroom. Full bath. Storage room. External staircase to first floor, in addition to interior stairs.

First floor:Master bedroom with bathroom, and balcony. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms.


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La casa del fattore

Isola di Cortona

La FornaceOriginally built to cook the bricks, widely used for construction here in the area, the Fornace (the kiln) is the oldest building of this settlement.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground floor:Coveredentranceway/smallporch.Spaciouslivingroomwithfireplace.Kitchen/diningroom.Halfbathroom.Storageareaandexternalstaircaseto first floor, in addition to interior stairs.

First floor:Master bedroom with private bathroom, and balcony. Two bedrooms, one bathroom.


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La Fornace

Isola di Cortona

La foresteria This building was the guest house for visitors of the farm and particularly the hunters in transit.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Basement Plan

In the basement:Possible accomodation of service staff, alternatively gym with bathroom and sauna

Ground floor:Veranda/porch, large dining room/living room with fireplace, largekitchen, bedroom and bathroom

First floor:Master bedroom with own bath, two more rooms, a bathroom


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La foresteria

Isola di Cortona

Il casino di caccia The “casino di caccia” (hunting lodge) is where the hunters used to stop and rest. The top floor was used to sight the animals.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground floor:Coveredentranceway/smallporch.Entrancehall.Spaciouslivingroomwith fireplace. Formal dining room. Eat-in kitchen. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

First floor:Master bedroom with bathroom.


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Il casino di caccia

Isola di Cortona

The building siteUpper left and below, the House of Mezzajolo before restoration and particular of the coat of arms of the Knights of Malta.Below left, the House of Mezzajolo during the restoration.

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The building site

Isola di Cortona

The building siteSome of the buildings in progressLeft: top the Casino di caccia, bottom the Granaio.To the right, the Casino di Caccia from above; the car-port roof and the developing garden can be seen

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The building site

Isola di Cortona

The building siteTo the left, the driveway: the rose bed, in front of the garden of the Casino di caccia, in the background the Casa del Mezzajolo can be seen and behind it the Casa del Fattore.To the right, on the front the courtyard with the old oak tree, in the background the gazebo, the stone wall of the Fornace and the Casa del Fattore behind the fountain.

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The building site

Isola di Cortona

It can become…

Possible uses of the common area

In this open area only temporary structures can be constructed. Tennis courts, sports fields and landscaping are now allowed by local zoning.In the figures two examples are shown of how the common area can be used, along with the parking lot and the helicopter landing pad:•Forgolfpractice:theputtinggreen(leftpage).• A large tent for meetings, theater and musicperformances./Sportsarea:tenniscourt,volleyballand football fields, or for other sports (right page).

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It can become…

1. Car parking lot2. Bus parking3. Helicopter landing pad4. Large tent5. Tennis court6.Receptionareastructure

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“… in Cortona, an oasis of tranquility in the Tuscan landscape, a compound of rural homes with historical tradition …”

Isola di Cortona SrlV.le Mazzini, 18

50132 Florence (FI)Phone: (+39) 055.23.45.195

Fax: (+39) 055.23.45.196

ON SITE OFFICEVia S. Sebastiano, 41

52044 Cortona (Arezzo)Phone/Fax: (+39) 0575.60.12.21

e-mail: [email protected]

isola di cortona

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