I’m not sure if I ever would have visited Cetona if it weren’t for the fact that our old neighbor in Umbria moved there. On our last trip we made a point of going to visit her for the afternoon and I’m so happy that we did. Not only because it was lovely to reconnect with a friend but also because I was able to visit this charming cittadina! Since we spent the afternoon with our friend here we didn’t get a chance to visit any of the churches or shops but my girls and I did take a nice long walk in the late afternoon sun. There is lovely fortress - La Rocca - that sits at the very top of the historic center. It is said to date back as far the 10th century, which is hard to imagine. It is now a private residence, which is even harder to imagine…haha! I thought it would be wonderful and memorable walk to head up to it. I took lots of lovely pictures along the way to share with you :)

The towns main square, Piazza Garibaldi, is tiled in smooth elegant Travertine. It’s lovely, big and lined with Palazzos on both sides. It’s just asking for people to celebrate in it! My friend said that there is always some wonderful event happening there. In April, during the “Cetona in Fiore” festival, the piazza is filled with delicious smelling and colorful blooming flowers. There are also private gardens that open up to the public during this time. Another event is “La Corsa delle Brocche”. This "Race of the Ceramic Pitcher" consists of men and women carrying pitchers of water with different weights around the piazza while trying not to lose any of it…amazing! This event is held every year at the end of July and beginning of August. One website said that the race “Symbolically represents the tough balancing act the citizens had to live in the power struggle between Orvieto and Siena.” I love this!!

On with our walk :) At one end of the piazza there is the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and right in the middle of the piazza there is the Church of Santissima Annunziata. You would never know that it is there because the facade has been incorporated into the neighboring homes. Apparently the interior is still worth taking a look at though. At the other end of the piazza, before heading up into the historic center, there is a large classic looking fountain (sadly the water was not flowing) and the Tower of Rivellino, a defense tower that dates back to the 1600s. Off to the right there is also a line of small fontanelle which would have served the towns people. I wrote a post about the Italian Fontanelle >>HERE<< if you’d like to take a look :)

The historic center’s streets were narrow and at times steep as we were heading up to the top, but they were very picturesque and the views were fabulous! I feel lucky that went on a walk when we did because the day was mostly cloudy up until then. Happily the clouds parted for us though and the sun shone just enough to illuminate the town up in a dreamy hue. It was quiet and calm because it was chilly, but there were signs of life everywhere. Homes adorned with flowers and knick knacks, and lovely gardens line both sides of the streets. This wasn’t a deserted historic center by any means. And at the top, a sweet little green space to sit in before the cobblestone streets turned into a narrow trail that lead to a gate. It wasn’t possible to go all the way up to the fortress (at least not in this direction) but at the end of the line there was a beautiful fortress wall draped in greenery and a statue of Mother Mary. We sat in the garden for just a few before heading back down to the main piazza. My heart was so full walking around here with my little ladies, taking pictures, eating the ripe fruit from the strawberry trees and trying to say hi to every cat that crossed our path. I will remember it forever!

Cetona sits in south eastern Tuscany in the province of Siena, just right across the valley from Lake Trasimeno. It is approx. 1 1/2 hours south from Florence - 35 minutes south from Montepulciano. I think no matter which way you came from it would be a beautiful drive. Public parking was easy and free, just a few minutes from the main piazza (see pic below)

This isn’t a huge town but there a few different restaurant choices which is nice. My girls and I enjoyed a nice tramezzini lunch at Bar Cavour in the main piazza.

This town would be a wonderful day trip or a quiet home base to visit other parts of Tuscany.