Arezzo is a beautiful discovery of Tuscany, less visited than other cities in the region despite a particular and unexpected charm. It is located in the east, close to Umbria and in the center of four valleys Valtiberina, Casentino, Valdarno and Valdichiana.
The historical center is built on the heights and slopes, while at its feet lies the active and modern lower city. Arezzo has everything that Tuscany can offer, between its artistic masterpieces, its gastronomy and its hospitality which is not overcrowded.
Two figures in particular marked the artistic history of the city: Piero Della Francesca in the 15th century, and Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century. The first was the fresco of the Legend of the True Cross in the Basilica of San Francesco, the second of the loggia of Piazza Grande, and the Cathedral of San Donato hosts several of their works.
Historical overview
Arezzo has been known for centuries for its goldsmiths. This was true in the Etruscan era, when it was one of their main city-states, renowned for its production of art objects, such as the famous Chimera of Arezzo to be admired at the Archaeological Museum of Florence.
After an important Roman period, in the eleventh century Arezzo became one of the main regional powers as an independent municipality. During the fourteenth century, in its confrontation with Florence it lost its power, to finally be annexed in 1384 to the Duchy of Tuscany dominated by the Florentines. Beyond Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari who marked the art of the city, Petrarch was a scholar, poet and humanist of the fourteenth century Italian native of Arezzo.
Bruised during the Second World War, Arezzo was partly rebuilt since, and its medieval centre looks beautiful today.
Heritage
The work of Arezzo is considered the most prestigious date of the Renaissance. This is the Legend of the Holy Cross painted between 1452 and 1466 in the apse of the San Francesco Basilica by Piero della Francesca, artist from Sansepolcro, a village in the province of Arezzo.
The rest of the city is not meager, with the green park of the Medici fortress, the grandiose Piazza Grande and beautiful churches, including the San Donato Cathedral with stained glass windows, the fresco of Mary Magdalene by Pietro della Francesca; the San Domenico church with the crucifix of 13th century Cimubae; the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve with the polyptych of Lorenzetti, etc.
Read also the page What to do and see in Arezzo
Events in Arezzo
Antique Fair
Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, in Piazza Grande, together with Piazza San Francesco, hosts a large antique market with dealers from all over Italy, bringing together more than 500 exhibitors. It is one of the oldest antique fairs in Italy.
Saracen Joust
The Saracen Joust (Giostra del Saracino in Italian) takes place twice a year on Piazza Grande: the penultimate Saturday of June (San Donato Joust) and the first Sunday of September (September Joust)
This is the main folk event of Arezzo. The square becomes a true medieval setting, all in period costumes, with historical procession, music and competition of period.
The highlight of the show is the knights from the four quarters of Arezzo who are fighting each other by striking the shield in the left hand of buratto – the springy model used as buckwheat -, while avoiding the sack of bread in the right hand.
Gastronomy
As in the whole of Tuscany, we appreciate the gastronomy of Arezzo where there are many restaurants, cooking hearty dishes and often originating from a poor tradition, with pasta, charcuterie, meat, cheeses, vegetables and good wines; including liver pâté, acquacotta (egg bread, cheese and mushrooms), pappardelle with hare or poultry, gnocchi ricotta-spinach, Chianina beef, Grifi (veal muzzle) but also meatballs, tripes et ossobuco; or the Arezzo Gattò (gingerbread and chocolate).
Where is Arezzo, map
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Links and sources
- Tourist portals: www.discoverarezzo.com, www.visitarezzo.com
- General information: en.wikipedia.org
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