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Cortona's steep streets

Is there an escalator in Cortona, taking you from a parking area to the main piazza? I thought I read about it in one of Rick's books. We have some travelers with some walking difficulties.

Posted by
487 posts

There is not an escalator in Cortona. But there is parking, if you can find a place, at the end of the only relatively flat street in Cortona. The name escapes me at the moment but I think it is the Via Nationale (spelling?). The parking is near or in the Piazza Garibaldi. We always park at a different place, but it requires walking up a steep hill.

You may be thinking of Assisi where there is an escalator, or Orvieto where there are some escalators.

Posted by
2030 posts

I was in Cortona 4 months ago and did see an escalator going from the side of the hill below Piazza Garibaldi to the parking lot. I did not personally use it, but I think that is what it was.
Rick may be right!

Posted by
487 posts

I asked my husband, who has a better memory than I do even though it pains me to admit that, and he said that when we were in Cortona in March 2007 that there was an escalator from a new parking area up to the Piazza Garibaldi. I had no idea.

The good news is that from the Piazza Garibaldi to the main piazza the street is relatively flat. If I am remembering correctly! This is embarrassing because I have been to Cortona 5 TIMES.

Posted by
2030 posts

Yes, Piazza Garibaldi runs into the main street in Cortona, which is flat -- however this is pretty much the only flat street there -- still it is beautiful!