Arezzo (Tuscany):  91,000 pop. 296 a.s.l. [ MAP ] 

Capital of Province, art city and economical center of Tuscany. Arezzo had Etruscan origins, was Roman settlement then became Thriving municipality during the middle Ages. Now Arezzo is one of the wealthiest cities in Tuscany and it produces gold jewelry and clothing for shops all over the world. It is also the charming town seen in the award-winning movie “Life is Beautiful” with Roberto Benigni

The ancient streets of the city center also preserve the medieval features with the beautiful 5th C palazzi. Noteworthy is the gothic Duomo built around the 15th C with hexagonal bell tower and neo-gothic façade. The Cathedral has three naves interior with beautiful stained-glass windows and houses a 13th C “Tarlati” Chapel with frescoes and gothic tombs. On the left nave is “St. Mary Magdalen” a nice fresco by Piero della Francesca.

- The gothic church of San Francesco with brick and stone unfinished façade overlooks the same name Piazza. Inside the church is one of the Italy’s greatest works of art: The “Leggenda della Vera Croce” (Legend of the true cross), a magnificent fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca painted around 1450. It houses other frescoes and sculptures by Spinello Aretino and a 15th C rose window valuable artwork.

- The Romanesque parish church of Santa Maria with the imposing bell tower and three nave interior hosts on the high altar “Madonna and Child with saints, Annunciation, Assumption and Saints” a beautiful polypthyc by Pietro Lorenzetti (1320). The abside overlooks the characteristic “Piazza Grande”, the square where every year takes place the “Giostra del Saracino”( Jousting tournament) and where the first weekend of the month is the most important Italian antique fair (500 exhibitors)

Among the beautiful palazzi, medieval towers and ancient houses of note is the valuable Gothic Renaissance “Palazzo della Confraternita dei Laici” an important work by Vasari (1573)

Among the churches a special mention is due to the Gothic “San Domenico”, with the Romanesque Portal in which interior, on the high altar, is a big crucifix by Cimabue and some 14th C frescoes.

The Church of Santa Maria in Gradi preserves a splendid Madonna in terracotta by A. Della Robbia.

It is recommended to walk along Corso Italia, the main street of the city, flanked by ancient towers and medieval palazzi among which emerges the Palazzo Pretorio, best known as the birth place of Francesco Petrarca.

 The house of Giorgio Vasari, situated in via XX September, preserves frescoes by the same artist and now is the seat of a Vasarian museum.

For those who want enjoy a splendid panorama is adviced to visit the Fortezza Medicea, ( Medici’s Family fortress), a nice work by Sangallo dating back to the 16th C.

Arezzo houses 2 interesting museums: The “Museo d’arte medioevale e moderna" hosted inside a beautiful 14th C palazzo attributed to “Rossellino” which preserves sculptures and paintings by Spinello Aretino, Della Gatta, Luca Signorelli, A. della Robbia, Fiorentino, Vasari etc.

Arezzo's Archelogical Museum preserves many Etruscan, Roman and Prehistoric finds and a refined collection of Vases.

Opposite the museum are the remains of the Roman Amphitheater.