Clarity Amongst The Ruins: A Day in Cortona

Cortona is a hilltop town in Tuscany that offers stunning views of the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno. It has a rich history dating back to Etruscan times, so to me, Cortona feels like a treasure trove of ancient architecture and culture. Even though I have never read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Cortona has been on my list of places to visit for some time now.

Although it’s possible to do Cortona in a day trip, I personally felt that rushing through the itinerary wouldn’t do this peaceful village justice. Cortona is a great place to relax, enjoy the views, and sample the local delicacies. Yes, I’m a travel photographer, and while I’m always looking for shots to inspire my art, I also make time to simply exist in each new location.

Getting There: From Firenze to Camucia

The train from Firenze stops at Camucia-Cortona Station, which is either a 45-minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride to the historical area. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I enjoy walking—and the next bus was a twenty-minute wait.

The path meanders through the newer and more convenient small town, which feels like an extension of the historical Cortona hill town.

The Climb into Cortona

Walking up the hill blessed me with views of a beautiful landscape dotted with villas, churches, and sprawling olive groves. It was a pretty cloudy day (which I actually prefer—at least partially cloudy), so I enjoyed strolling around the narrow streets and staircases of the lower levels.

As I started to walk up through the town, I decided I wanted to look down over Cortona before planning my day. The streets were mostly empty, and I felt totally at peace with the solitude. Every street I passed, every building I saw, every brick I brushed against—I felt connected to everything. I felt like I was among old friends. “I’ll come back for you” weren’t the words I said, but it was the feeling I had.

Eventually, I found a nice vantage point overlooking Cortona’s rooftops. I sat down to take a few photographs but mostly just to sit and contemplate life. I know it can seem like I’m always rushing from photo to photo to make the most of my time, but moments like this are something I truly cherish. Life is better lived when not always hidden behind a viewfinder. Sometimes you just need to stop, breathe, and appreciate the life you’re able to live.

Continuing to zig and zag my way toward the top of the hill, I was honestly just appreciating and feeling inspired by every step I took. There’s a true beauty in feeling lost, but also completely at home, in places like Cortona.

Every alley begged to be explored. Every staircase felt like a new adventure. But to me, everything also felt very safe, quaint, and familiar.

There’s so much character here, and I found it hard not to try to capture everything I saw. At the same time, I kept reminding myself to just walk, be present, and enjoy the moment.

Autumn in the Details

Something else I really liked about Cortona: the hidden pockets of trees you find once you get out of the narrow streets. This time of year, the leaves were especially beautiful, and many of the cobblestone pathways were covered in color.

As you can probably tell from the images I took, it was a cloudy day. But occasionally the sun would peek through, and when it did, the warm light reflecting off the brown bricks of the buildings was amazing.

As I kept walking up the hill, I found a bench and sat down, inspired to take a photo of my feet dangling in the air. I don’t know why, but it felt fitting. I also really like what I call my “adventure boots.” After that, I continued up toward a church, which thankfully was open. Sometimes churches or monasteries are closed, so it felt lucky to be able to go inside. It was truly remarkable. I know some people think churches all start to look the same, but as someone who loves focusing on details, I always find something unique and inspiring in each one.

At that point, I was about to head back down the hill when I saw a path leading up a little farther. It seemed like a dead end, but then I noticed a small goat path leading to a grassy hill. I was curious. Maybe there was another viewpoint? I figured if there wasn’t, I’d just turn around and head home.

But when I followed the path up the hill, I ended up having what I can only describe as a life-changing experience. It might not seem like a big deal to someone else—you might say, “Scott, you’ve been in situations like this before, what made this one different?” But for me, it was a mix of things: where I am in life, the kind of self-discovery I’ve been going through, and just the fact that I followed a quiet instinct to explore something most people wouldn’t even notice.

I reached the top of that hill and realized I was exactly where I needed to be. Not just geographically, but emotionally and spiritually. I stumbled on some ruins, which I later found out were Etruscan. I felt like a true adventurer—like I had discovered something most people would never see. It wasn’t like being in St. Mark’s Square or somewhere photographed a million times. This felt deeply personal. I wasn’t just discovering something visually—I was rediscovering something inside myself.

I took time to capture a few images, not just to document the place, but to embody the spirit I was feeling. A genuine sense of adventure, a lust for travel, a passion for going off the beaten path. I felt grateful and amazed, and this moment became one of the highlights of my year.

I know it’s hard to explain what these moments mean unless you’ve had one yourself. But for me, the stars aligned in that moment, and there’s no other way to describe it. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

After taking some extra time to soak in the view and the experience, I decided to head back down the hill. I felt like I’d really taken my time getting lost and discovering Cortona on the way up, but after finding the ruins and having that moment of clarity, I wasn’t in a rush to get anywhere. Cortona deserved my full attention.

I took a few photos on the way down, but mostly I just tried to be present. I felt more aligned with myself than I had in a long time. It didn’t matter how long it took me to get to the train—I was exactly where I needed to be.

While I’ve already included a few photos above, I wanted to share more in this post. These images aren’t just visuals—they’re quiet reflections of the mood, the stillness, and the connection I felt. Sometimes a photo captures what words can’t.

Thanks for being here to read my story. I’m looking forward to sharing more with you soon.