Arezzo is less known than other Tuscan cities but it is certainly not less… Magical atmospheres, great hospitality, places of art and excellent gastronomy await all those who decide to visit it, even in a day or weekend if you are passionate about art.
There is so much to see in Arezzo, with its colorful landscapes and its artistic heritage envied around the world. And between a church and a museum, you can sit at the table of a local trattoria to taste the typical dishes with a good glass of wine.
What to see in Arezzo
Small but cozy, Arezzo is a city that needs to be discovered gradually, trying to grasp the peculiarities going to browse even the most remote places. On a city trip, here are the things you should definitely see:
Basilica of San Francesco
The Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, built in stone and brick, is famous because it houses “The Legend of the True Cross” by Piero Della Francesca, among the undisputed masterpieces of the Renaissance and Italian art.
The legend in question tells the story of the wooden trunk with which the cross of Jesus was built in a series of frescoes aligned not chronologically, but symmetrically: at the top are the outdoor scenes, in the center the court scenes and at the bottom the battles.
Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande or Piazza Vasari in Arezzo is one of the most harmonious architectural complexes in Italy, if not the world. On its original trapezoid shape, built on a rather steep climb, churches, buildings and old shops overlook.
The main structures are the Pieve di Santa Maria and the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, on the left, and the Palazzo Lappoli with the wooden gallery and the Palazzo Casatorre dei Cofani, on the right.
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donato
The Cathedral of Arezzo is dedicated to Saints Peter and Donato; it is much loved by Arezzo because it has “witnessed” all the historical events occurred in time. Its construction dates back to the thirteenth century, but the completion is only of the sixteenth century.
In particular, the Bell Tower was rebuilt for 3 times, while the facade was restored in the twentieth century. Inside you can admire the “Maddalena” by Piero della Francesca, painted in 1465, and the marble panel with the “Baptism of Christ” that decorates the Baptismal Font attributed to Donatello.
Foto : Unsplash
Basilica of San Domenico
We then pass to the Basilica of San Domenico, made famous by the great Crucifix of Cimabue, more than 3 meters high and built in the second half of the thirteenth century. The interior is in Gothic-Romanesque style and houses the Funeral Monument of Ranieri degli Ubertini di Gano di Fazio, the oldest example of a tomb suspended in Arezzo.
Museum of Medieval and Modern Art
As small as it is interesting, the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art in Arezzo has everything you would expect from a museum: an extraordinary selection of works, competent guides and the tranquility necessary to concentrate.
The museum is located inside the “House of Customs”, which in the past housed the State Monopolies. The works, divided by historical period, are located in large rooms that can be reached through a large courtyard, decorated with some works by Pietro Lorenzetti and Vasari, but also by more contemporary artists such as Telemaco Signorini and Cecioni.
Church of Santa Maria della Pieve
The Church of Santa Maria della Pieve is located in the center: overlooking Piazza Grande, its apse enriches the setting of the meeting point of Arezzo. Its bell tower is called “of the 100 holes” because of the characteristic processing of mullioned windows combined on five floors.
The most important work inside is the Polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti that depicts a Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, the Assumption and 12 saints.
Arezzo is the homeland of a great artist, that is Giorgio Vasari; for this reason he decided to pay homage to him by transforming the palace he bought (and where, however, he did not live long) into a museum dedicated to him. The decorations were all made by him, from paintings to sculptures.
The House Museum of Giorgio Vasari is, since 1911, owned by the State; inside, the works are divided into three floors: the apartment with the Chamber of Fame and Arts, the Chamber of Muses, the Chamber of Abraham and the Hall of the Fireplace decorated by Vasari and his students.
Fortezza Medicea
In the most panoramic point of Arezzo there is a wonderful public park that surrounds the ancient medieval city and the fortress built by the Medici to protect the citizens from external invasions.
The fortress, built in 1550, has a pentagonal shape and fully respects the original designs of Antonio and Giuliano da Sangallo.
Fair Antiquarian and Joust of the Saracen
Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, in Piazza Grande is set up a huge antique market, the famous Antiques Fair, which attracts visitors from all over Italy. For over 50 years, at least 500 exhibitors a day have been displaying the most disparate objects, becoming an attraction for the curious.
Twice a year, however, the Giostra del Saracino is held: the penultimate Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September, in Piazza Grande there is an ancient competition in medieval costumes. In practice, the knights belonging to the four districts of Arezzo must hit the shield of Buratto with a spear without, however, getting hit in turn. A timeless tradition, not to be missed.
