in italiano

Arezzo

Arezzo

For all those with a love of tranquility and the finer things in life, Arezzo is the ideal destination. A rich area which hosts many works of art, Arezzo has always been the home of gold and artists. Despite this, it remains one of the least visited cities in Tuscany, the good condition and conservation of its medieval buildings in the centre of the city being a result of this.

Arezzo is a very old city that was important during both Etruscan and Roman times. Evidence of this importance can be seen throughout the city even today with many collections featured in the museums of the city. Another great testament to the city's past importance is the ruins of a Roman Amphitheatre, from the 2nd century, which still sits today just outside the perimeter the city walls. Even the structure of city, which is still typically Medieval with the walls bordering the city centre (from which a view of the city and the surrounding hills can be enjoyed) and a beautiful fortress that was built by the Medici Family in the 16th century, serves as further proof of the powerful position that Arezzo held many centuries ago.

Amongst its many spectacular Medieval buildings is the San Pietro Cathedral, located in the central Piazza del Duomo at the top of a long staircase, which is a Gothic style building enriched with frescoes and glass, a style that is very reminiscent of the 14th century. Another example of 14th century architecture in Arezzo is the Communal Palace, in front of the cathedral, which is made up of a solitary, concrete tower.

However, the most famous piazza in Arezzo is the Piazza Grande, which, sitting behind the Piazza del Duomo, was constructed to correspond with the slope of the hill. It is here you will find a mass of impressive buildings which altogether demonstrate a unique blend of architectural styles. Firstly, there is the Fraternity Palace of Laici which was constructed in the 14th century, altered in the 15th century and at last completed with the addition of a bell tower in the 16th century. Next we have the Loggiato del Vasari, and finally, the Roman stones of Santa Maria, a building enriched with decorated arches and stone columns adjoined to the side of a 59 metres tall bell tower, called campanile delle cento buche.

Yet the most astonishing building in the city is the San Francesco church. The church is a sturdy 14th century building which although from the outside appears unfinished, it actually has an extravagantly decorated interior. In particular, in the chorus, you will find frescoes of the Leggenda della vera Croce, painted by Piero della Francesca, who narrated the story of the wood which was used to make Jesus’ cross. The painter, from Arezzo, has left his most important piece of work in this church, which is very expressive in its use of colour, view points and impressive night views.

In addition to Pietro della Francesca, Arezzo is the birthplace of many other famous figures including the poet Francesco Petrarca, one of the great fathers of the Italian language, and Ristoro of Arezzo, the author of one of the first natural encyclopaedias that was written in the first form of literary Italian, titled The composition of the world, at the end of the 13th century.

Although Arezzo is a city of many artists, it actually more famous for its large quantity of goldsmiths. The goldsmiths of Arezzo have successfully kept the traditional trade of working with gold alive within the city, a trade which was derived from the Etruscan techniques of fusing and engraving the precious metal. Every year the city plays host to a gold fair called Arezzo Gold, where people from all over the world come to find out about the latest trends and international fashions of the goldsmith trade (as approximately 70% of the city's produce is exported overseas!).

As strange as it sounds, the province of Arezzo is also famous for its cows. In the Valdichiana, a green area south of the city, you will find herds of the Chianese breed; of cows which are famous for their unusual markings and their tasty meats. Originally Etruscan, this unique breed descended from a breed of bulls which in the past were well known for their strength (however today they are more famous for their beef steaks, but goodness knows whether this is considered to be a jump in quality!).

In the Valdichiana region there is still much evidence of the ancient Etruscan civilization. For example, inside the Chiusi, in the southern part of the valley, there are a number of archaeological areas featuring burial grounds which date back to the 5th century A.D. Furthermore, in Cortona, a picturesque town with a medieval structure which is the most significant of the region, part of the ancient city walls still remain, a structure which dates back to the same period as the cemetery of Chiusi.

The province of Arezzo is an area featuring many hills and much greenery, which are arguably among the most interesting in the Tuscan region. To the north, within the highlands of Tevere, you will find the Monte della Verna, on which there is a monastery which was founded by Francesco d’Assisi, as this is the spot where the saint famously received the stigmata. Therefore, the area is a very important place to all followers of the Francescan faith and a visit to this region is a very significant event to them. As well as it being an important pilgrimage, this is also due to the beautiful atmosphere of the province of Arezzo with its endless green landscapes, limitless open spaces and a surreal silence which a stark contrast to the large number of visitors that arrive on daily basis.

Figline Valdarno 268 Weekly Price: Min. € 545,00 Max. € 855,00 Number of Beds: 46

Bibbiena 1768 Weekly Price: Min. € 250,00 Max. € 800,00 Number of Beds: 10

Poggibonsi 647 Weekly Price: Min. € 2.800,00 Max. € 2.800,00 Number of Beds: 12

Stribugliano 1059 Weekly Price: Min. € 500,00 Max. € 700,00 Number of Beds: 10