Arezzo in Italy: the city of gold and the cradle of the Etruscan civilization. Cathedral of San Donato. Cuisine and restaurants

An amazing people lived here, who came from nowhere, spoke a language that no one can still understand, left behind numerous necropolises and few sculptures and household items. Arezzo lucky in this regard, the famous statue of the Chimera was found here, which is now kept in Florence.
Slowly but persistently, the Romans conquered one Etruscan city after another, and the turn came Arezzo, in the III century. BC, it became a Roman city, retaining its industrial and commercial power, it became the northern bastion of Ancient Rome, which protected from the attacks of the Gauls.
Nevertheless, Arezzo retained rebellious spirits and was always looking for an opportunity to gain independence. Therefore, Caesar, out of revenge, organized a colony here for his veterans, which caused a demographic surge and dilution of the Etruscan part of the population.
During Imperial Rome Arezzo was a prosperous and wealthy city. Baths, a theater, an amphitheater (117-138) were built, the ruins of which have survived to this day.
Arezzo remained an industrial center where they worked with metal and produced ceramics since Etruscan times. Coral-colored vases were especially popular.
After the fall of the Roman Empire began the decline and decline Arezzo, tormented by barbarian raids. Then the power was seized by the Lombards, who erected a castle and their churches.

Then came the Franks with Charlemagne. Arezzo became the seat of the bishop. And until now, they still have something to boast about a rare city.
under the protection of the bishop Arezzo developed and built. At this time, one of the most prominent inhabitants was born Arezzo– Guido d’ Arezzo- a Benedictine monk from the abbey of Pomposa and a music theorist who introduced a 4-line musical staff with a pitch designation on each line in the initial letters of the Latin alphabet (still in use today), and a key.
After 1000 Arezzo became a free commune. But the bishop lived near the city wall in a castle and had feudal views of the city. The townspeople often opposed the power of the bishop, which caused conflicts that often ended not in favor of the townspeople. Nevertheless, the free commune developed.
In 1304 in Arezzo Francesco Petrarca, Italian poet, writer and humanist, was born.
Power Arezzo grew, and the city inevitably moved towards a collision with its significant neighbors Florence and Siena. After in Arezzo the Ghibellines came to power, in 1289 there was a battle with the Sienese and Florentine armies, called the Battle of Campaldino. Dante Alighiere also participated in this battle on the side of the Guelphs.
The bishop was killed in it Arezzo, and was succeeded by Guido Tarlati, who improved the economic situation, expanded the city boundaries and brought Arezzo to more prosperity. At this time, the city began to mint its own coins. Peace was made with Florence and an alliance was reached with Siena.
But after the death of Guido Tarlati for Arezzo dark days have come. The city was losing its territories, and in 1337 its independence, falling under the rule of Florence. After 10 years, independence was restored, but the former prosperity was no longer achieved. The struggle between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines flared up each time with new cruelty. In 1384 Arezzo was finally annexed to Florence, which also affected art. After that, the Florentine influence affected everything, but a slow decline was felt.
In 1525 in Arezzo plague came. The economic situation worsened and the city again rebelled against Florence. Siena fell in 15545 and most of Tuscany was merged into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Cosimo I Medici carried out restoration work in Arezzo. The fortress was restored, completed Cathedral churches were built.
During these works, the famous Etruscan bronze statues of Minerva from Arezzo and Chimera.
In 1796, the French waxes, led by Napoleon, began to seize Italian lands. Arezzo was conquered in 1799.
In 1860 Arezzo became part of a united Italy.
Modern Arezzo retained its medieval appearance, although it was badly damaged during the Second World War. Half of the historic buildings were in ruins.

Let's start our route from the round square Piazza Guido Monaco named after Benedictine monk Guido, who was a musical theorist and who introduced a 4-line stave with the designation of the pitch on each line in the initial letters of the Latin alphabet and the key. We have already mentioned it in the History section.

From the busy square we will walk along the street via Giudo Monaco to the intersection with via Giuseppe Mazzini where we turn right.
On the left side, we immediately notice cafe "Caffe' Dei Costanti", some scenes of Benini's famous film "Life is beautiful" were filmed in it.
The cafe gained popularity at the beginning of the 19th century, and poets, intellectuals and foreigners came here. You can stop by a cafe, have a cup of coffee with dessert, or eat Life is Beautiful ice cream.
And opposite is Basilica of Saint Francis, where the frescoes of Piero della Francesca are kept, including the "Legend of the Real Crucifixion".

Basilica of St. Francis.

Let's go up the street via Andrea Cesalpino, which starts opposite the basilica, we reach the intersection with Via degli Albergotti and turn right. This street will lead us to one of the most beautiful squares in Italy - piazza Vasari (Vasari Square, or Great Square).

Piazza Grande. Arezzo.

On the first Sunday of September and the third Sunday of June, the Saracen Knight Tournament takes place at night on the square.
The square has an irregular shape, but strikes with its harmony and grace. A noticeable slope visually raises the Vasari loggia, built in the late Renaissance. Cafés are located under elegant porticos.

Piazza Grande. Arezzo.

Church overlooking the square Santa Maria della Pieve ( Santa Maria della Pieve, its tower rises to a height of 59 meters and is called the bell tower of a hundred holes. On the main entrance door you can admire the sculptural group "Cycle of the Months" by Piero Lorengetti. The multi-tiered façade was made by the Argentinean master Marcio; it is built on the contrast of light and dark rows of layout and vertical divisions. Before the construction of the Cathedral, the church of Santa Maria delle Pieve was the main and largest in Arezzo.
In addition, there are the City and People's Palaces, the Tribunal and the palazzos (palaces) of noble families on the square.

Let's leave the square Via del Pileati.
On it finds Palace of Pretorio, decorated with the coats of arms of the rulers, now it houses the city library.

The street leads us to Cathedral.

The Cathedral is dedicated to Saints Donatus and Peter. It is made in gothic style. The cathedral began to be built on this site in 1278 by order of Pope Innocent III. The various phases of construction took a long time and were completely completed only in 1511. The facade dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, at the same time the cathedral was expanded. The tomb of Pope Gregory X in the right nave, the Madalena fresco by Piero della Francesca in the left nave, seven stained glass windows by Gullaume de Marchilatt in the right nave.

Cathedral of Arezzo.

Cathedral of Arezzo.

When leaving the cathedral, turn right and reach Church of Saint Dominic (Chiesa di San Domenico), which was founded in 1275. Construction was completed in the XIV century. Notable is the wooden crucifix by Cimabue. Asymmetrical masonry façade and bell tower with two bells.

Let's turn from the church via San Domenico, and then on via XX Settembre.
House number 55 is Vasari's house.
The family of the artist, architect and art historian Giorgio Vasari lived here. The hall covered with frescoes has been preserved.
Visari bought this house in 1540. He was very busy at that time, torn between Rome, Florence and other places, so he rarely visited the house in Arezzo. However, the artist designed the facade of the building, but this project was not carried out. Vasari's heirs owned the house until 1687, when the family died out.
In 1911, the building was bought by the state, and a museum was opened here.

Let's turn right to via San Lorentino and then left to via Garibaldi.
Located a little further Church of Santissima Annunziata with works by Giorgio Vasari and Pietro da Cortona.

By via Garibaldi to the already known round Piazza Giudo Monaco. Departs from her via Roma covered with porticos.

Via Roma. Arezzo.

Turning on via Margaritone, find ruins of a roman amphitheater Near Archaeological Museum.

Roman amphitheater. Arezzo.

Roman amphitheater was erected in the 1st century. The length of the amphitheater is 121 meters. The stones of the amphitheater were used for other buildings, including the monastery of St. Bernard. The amphitheater accommodated about 8 thousand spectators.

It is simply amazing to what extent modest Italian towns sometimes turn out to be, if not the center of the world, then at least the cradle of science, culture and art for many centuries. This is exactly what Tuscan Arezzo is - a charming old city with a lot of sights and memorable places of ancient and modern history. Let's start with the fact that it was here that they invented the thunderstorm and the torment of careless students of music schools - the science of solfeggio. This was done by the medieval Benedictine monk Guido with the logical surname d'Arezzo, who, for the convenience of recording music, came up with four lines of the stave and 7 note circles. Three centuries later, the main poet of Italy, Petrarch, was born in Arezzo, who not only “took his Laura, but on a horse”, but also popularized the genre of the sonnet, and in addition almost came up with a technique of parallel texts - he wrote poetry in Latin and Italian. A couple of centuries later, the painter Giorgio Vasari was “sent” to Arezzo, who created a special, Tuscan style of writing and enriched Italy with a dozen remarkable buildings. And finally, in our time, director Roberto Benigni honored the city with his attention - it was here that the life-affirming film Life is Beautiful was filmed, glorifying Arezzo with the Cannes Lion and three Oscars. What other arguments do you need in favor of visiting this wonderful city?

How to get to Arezzo

The closest airports to Arezzo are in Florence and Pisa. Arezzo is also connected by good rail links with Tuscan cities - best of all with Florence (1 hour and about 7-16 EUR); among other things, you can arrive here by train from Rome (2 hours 23 minutes and about 14-22 EUR). You can also visit the city intercity bus from almost any locality Italy.

Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Search for flights to Florence (nearest airport to Arezzo)

Transport in the city

The historic center of Arezzo can be easily explored on foot - the distances are short and there are many pedestrian areas. Keep in mind that the city is located on a hill, so walking through it will require some physical effort. If you rent a car, you can leave it in one of the municipal parking lots at the entrances to the Old Town (12 EUR for the whole day) and do further way on my own two.

In Arezzo, you can walk through the filming locations of the film "Life is Beautiful": the squares and streets lit up in the film are marked with special signs with a photograph of the corresponding scene. The inhabitants of the street are especially unlucky, where the hero of Benigni asks for a key: the cries of enthusiastic tourists “Maria! La chiave!" now and then announce the neighborhood.

You can travel around the city on municipal buses. The most convenient route for tourists is called the "Historic Center" (Centro Storico) and, as the name suggests, is laid near the main attractions of Arezzo.

At the famous Tournament of the Saracens, horsemen dressed in medieval costumes, each of which represents their own city block, compete in accuracy, trying to hit a wooden target - and the audience ardently cheers for their neighbors.

Arezzo Hotels

The number of rooms in Arezzo is presented big amount private boarding houses and rural guest houses, "threes" and "fours". Most establishments operate on a bed and breakfast system, which in no way detracts from their dignity, since there are more than enough cafes and restaurants in the area. A night of accommodation will cost about 55-85 EUR in a democratic hotel and 80-120 EUR in an excellent four-star hotel. Exclusive options, for example, accommodation in a restored 18th century villa, will cost 50-70 EUR more.

Cuisine and restaurants of Arezzo

As elsewhere in Tuscany (and indeed in Italy in general), the inhabitants of Arezzo love and know how to cook, inventing authentic dishes and maintaining the gastronomic continuity of generations. Local culinary highlights are two bread soups. The first - "acuacotta" - is cooked with porcini mushrooms, the second - "ribollita" - is nothing more than a multi-vegetable stew. We also recommend trying the authentic Chianina beef steak, which can be accompanied by a vegetable salad and a glass of red wine, also locally produced. Well, of course, in Arezzo you can eat traditional pizza and pasta.

If you want to get to know the cuisine of Arezzo in all its appetizing fullness, pay attention to the "tasting menu" - a set of mini dishes served according to the principle of the Balkan "meze".

Shopping and stores

Rejoice collectors of antiques - on the first weekend of each month, the largest flea market unfolds in Piazza Grande, where you can find antiques of any price, size and degree of antiquity. More than 500 sellers offer their goods here - and all sorts of things, and really artistically interesting antique gizmos. Needless to say, the path to the square will have to be paved on foot, so if you rent a car, it is better to leave it in the parking lot - the nearest one near the Cathedral.

Souvenirs are sold in numerous kiosks and shops near attractions and simply in the heart of the Old Town. For the freshest terroir, head to Piazza Sant'Agostino, where on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the farmers bring the fruits of their labor for sale.

5 things to do in Arezzo

1. What is the strength to shout “Maria! La chiave!" in the same place where Roberto Benigni did it.
2. Cheer up a beautiful rider in the Tournament of the Saracens by giving him a rose.
3. Visit the house where the great Italian poet Francesco Petrarch lived.
4. Arrange a cultural run through the Vasari frescoes.
5. Appreciate the soup of porcini mushrooms "acuacotta", accompanied by a glass of good Italian wine.

Guides in Arezzo

Attractions and attractions in Arezzo

The main sights of Arezzo are clustered in the historical center of the city. First of all, this is a magnificent Cathedral of the 13th-15th centuries with a monumental stone facade, a mass of marble bas-reliefs and wonderful frescoes, including Mary Magdalene by Piero della Francesca. The Museum of the Cathedral is also located here. Away from the main square of Piazza Grande rises one of the most interesting medieval buildings - Palazzo delle Logge Vasariane (16th century).

The Church of Santa Maria (12th century) is famous for its Romanesque arched façade and marble reliefs representing the 12 months of the year. Pay attention to the 14th century bell tower, which has become a symbol of the city. Another magnificent church is San Francesco, where you can see a large-scale pictorial work of the same Piero della Francesca, dedicated to the Holy Cross - 10 consecutive frescoes. Other churches of interest are Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Domenico, around the corner of which is the House of Vasari, designed and furnished by the great painter.

In the ancient Roman amphitheater, you can imagine how the distant ancestors of the Italians had fun, and in the museum located here, you can see many Etruscan and Roman artifacts, for example, the Etruscan vase of the 6th century BC “Efronius Crater”, which depicts the exploits of Hercules.

You can see how the singer Laura lived in the House of Petrarch. Visits are possible by appointment or by polite request on site.

The best views of the city are from the 16th century medieval fortress, which rises above the city a little further from the Cathedral.

Museums of Arezzo: Archaeological, with a large number of exhibits of the Etruscan and ancient Roman period, the State Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, which presents paintings and sculptures of local masters of the 13-18 centuries, the house-museum of the founder of the antique fair, Ivan Bruska, with a mass of ancient interior items.

Festivals

The most colorful event in Arezzo, which annually attracts a lot of spectators, is the Knightly Tournament of the Saracens (Giostra del Saracino), which takes place twice: on the third Sunday of June and the first Sunday of September. Horsemen dressed in medieval costumes, each of which represents a city block, compete in accuracy, trying to hit a wooden target. The audience does not lag behind: it encourages the participants and arranges competitions for the best attire.

In the summer, Arezzo also hosts a theater festival, but the annual music festival ArezzoWave moved to the suburbs of Florence and became known as ItaliaWave.

Arezzo is an amazing city!
It penetrates the soul immediately
and does not want to give up the place of his beloved city to anyone ...
It would seem - narrow streets, lovely squares,
peace and quiet - what is surprising? And here!
No wonder Tuscan landscapes and time-breathing palazzos
beat all rivals at the Oscars
Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni
filmed in Arezzo...

I confess that it is incredibly difficult to describe Italian cities - the density of beauty and cultural values ​​per square meter is so high, and the region is immensely rich in history. But how to describe what you cannot express in words - an amazing feeling of peace and serenity that captures you when you walk along these streets? So I don't know...

The town on the hills is unusually picturesque, the sun hid behind the clouds, the famous Tuscan clouds, transparent with a lilac tint. Saturday, spoons and plates clink in the open windows of houses - a traditional Italian family dinner. Quietly, only doves tease: "on-tash-ka, on-tash-ka." Occasionally a motorcycle rumbles. There are no tourists. The streets climb up at an unthinkable angle, old people stand at the doors of taverns. Again the dishes rattle and smell appetizing. The views are stunningly good ... All this is called Arezzo.

Story

« Beautiful place!" - the primitive man must have exclaimed, appreciating the beauty of the local landscapes and the fertile land, and immediately founded a camp here. Later, the Etruscans created a city here, which by the 4th century. BC. was part of the federation of 12 Etruscan cities, and was one of the main cities in the Apennines - "the capital of the Etruscans" called Arezzo Titus Livius. Now from ancient Etruscan city the remains of the fortress wall, the ruins of the necropolis on Poggio del Sol, as well as the bronze sculptures of the Chimera of Arezzo and Minerva, which were found in the 16th century and immediately taken to the Florentine Archaeological Museum, have been preserved. True, a copy of the Chimera welcomes tourists who arrived in Arezzo by train, and a copy of Minerva stands on one of the city streets.

Under the Romans, who captured it in 311 BC, the city of Arretium grew greatly: new walls, baths, a theater, an amphitheater were built; Arezzo became the third largest Roman city. In the 5th century, the city fell under the rule of the Lombards, then the Franks, after the collapse of the Frankish state, it was revived again. To a large extent, this was facilitated by the canonization of the Bishop of Aretina Donato, who was martyred in 304 and became the patron saint of the city under the name of San Donato. In the XI century. Arezzo turned into a virtually independent city-state under the rule of a bishop and a commune, in 1255 a university was founded in Arezzo - one of the first in Italy and Europe in general, in the XII-XIV centuries. here they built the same city that we saw ...

Aretina Republic in 1350

The long reign of the Ghibellines in Arezzo ended with their crushing defeat in the battle with the Guelphs at Campaldino (1289), significant territories were ceded to Florence and Siena, and soon the city lost its independence, fell under the rule of Florence and was included in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. True, the townspeople were rebellious people and often raised uprisings: “In July 1502 - the year to which this story refers - Arezzo, a city subject to Florence, revolted and declared itself independent. Vitellozzo Vitelli, the most capable of the captains of El Valentino, the mortal enemy of the Florentines who executed his brother, and Baglioni, ruler of Perugia, defended the rebels and defeated the Florentine garrison. His remnants took refuge in the citadel. In a panic, the Signoria sent Piero Soderini, acting President of the Republic, to Milan to hasten the dispatch of the four hundred cavalrymen promised by King Louis. The order was also given to the troops of the Signoria, who had been besieging Pisa for a long time, to speak in Arezzo, but the citadel fell shortly before their arrival. Somerset Maugham "Then and Now"

Starting from the 17th century. Arezzo finally became a provincial city, which from time to time flashed into European history- then it was occupied by Napoleonic troops, then in 1860 it became part of the united Italy. For the heroism shown by the inhabitants of Arezzo in the resistance movement, in 1984 the city was awarded a gold medal. Today, the main branch of Arezzo's economy is the production of jewelry. Here is the largest factory in the world for the production of gold products.

In terms of the number of great people born in these Tuscan lands, Arezzo is second only to Florence. First of all, it is worth mentioning the legendary Maecenas (Gaius Cylnius (70-8 BC)), the sponsor of the ancient poets Virgil and Horace, whose name has become a household name in all languages ​​of the world.

Also born here:
* Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), humanist and writer, who not only wrote poetry, but also actively engaged in scientific activities. Connoisseur ancient culture, Petrarch devoted his whole life to deciphering ancient manuscripts.
* Guido d "Arezzo / Guido Monaco (997-1050), a reforming musician who created a system of musical notation and came up with the names of notes that have come down to our time.
*Giorgio Vasari (1512-1574), court painter and architect of the Medici family. He owns the authorship of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Piazza Dei Cavalieri in Pisa, the design of Piazza Grande in Arezzo ... But his greatest merit to posterity lies in his book "Le Vite de" piu eccelenti Pittori, Scultori e Architetti "(Lives of the most famous painters , sculptors and architects), which was completed in 1550, and the second supplemented edition with portraits of famous artists was published in 1568. This work contains so much precious information for our time that, if it did not exist, then in history Italian art would be a big gap.
*Italian fresco masters Spinello Aretino, Pietro Aretino, and the magnificent Piero della Francesca, whose incredible frescoes are Arezzo's contribution to Renaissance art.

City walks

The old city of Arezzo, like a precious pearl, hides completely in the "shell" - the city walls, which are mostly preserved. As usual, we begin the conquest of the city with a roundabout maneuver from the right flank, and our strategic calculation is correct - the tourist office house is just to the right, a few steps from the station. And across the road, right in the fountain, we are met by the famous Chimera of Arezzo - a fabulous monster with two heads, preserved from Etruscan times (of course, a copy).

Along a small boulevard from it, we reach the Bastioni di S. Spirito, pass through this symbolic gate, and a few minutes later we are standing in front of the S. Bernardo monastery, which was built on the ruins of a Roman amphitheater (the arched loggia of the monastery even repeats the elliptical shape of the ancient arena).

Romano amphitheater

The Roman amphitheater was erected in Arezzo in the 1st-2nd centuries. AD and is designed for 8-10 thousand spectators. The size of this arena testifies to the importance of the city in the Roman Empire. Here, battles were held not only between gladiators and animals, but also entire "sea" battles were played out. The monastery was built here in 1647, and in 1937 the Archaeological Museum was opened in the building of the monastery, naming it after Gaius Cylnius Maecenas, the first adviser to Emperor Augustus - his bust meets you at the entrance to the museum. The entrance is located on the side of the church of St. Bernardo, dating from the 14th century, destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt after the war. The museum stores Etruscan mirrors, figurines, coins, vases, mosaic fragments, funerary urns… Not for everybody.

Sant Agostino

Along Via Margaritone, we come to S.Agostino Square, crowded with cars, above which rises the church of Sant Agostino (1257) of an extremely ascetic appearance, it is slightly enlivened only by a campanile with a peaked roof (XV century).

Inside, on the contrary, there is a beautiful decoration in the Rococo style. To the north of this church are 4 other beautiful churches: San Gimignano, San Maddalena, San Michele and San Niccolò.

San Gimignano

The church of San Gimignano, which we visited first, was built in the 8th century, and was thoroughly rebuilt during the Medici period and in 1804. Inside, the multicolored marble altar adorned with pearls and colorful murals by the Neapolitan master Tommazo Fasano and local native Sebastiano Pontenani are worth a look. Opposite are two impregnable, stocky residential towers, in the loophole windows of which white curtains look somewhat ridiculous, and on the upper level of one of them there is even a small balcony with wicker chairs and flower pots.

The streets of Arezzo are unique! Detached houses have stone “barrels” and light facades, courtyards are protected from prying eyes by two-meter-high solid stone walls, houses on the streets are crowded together, forming picturesque streets, the authenticity of which is somewhat disturbed by cars and motorcycles parked next to the houses. And above all this, the smell of pastries and olive oil hovers, dissolving in transparent Tuscan clouds…

Rushing east, we stomped to the gates of Porta Trento e Trieste and turned back again. Perhaps, from the point of view of logic, our route may seem somewhat confused, but it is in a certain disorder of wandering through the streets that there is the charm of walking through Italian cities ... We climb higher and higher along street after street, those houses and churches that we admired half an hour ago, remained far below. The old men at the doors of the trattorias pensively follow us with their eyes: wow, tourists ...

Santa Croce

A little further from the city wall stands the amazing Santa Croce church, which seems to have an octagon built into it. It dates back to the 12th century, but has not survived to this day - in 1944 it was destroyed by direct bombing. Only this very octahedron remained, the shape of which is not accidental - the church was built on the site of a pagan temple of the 2nd century BC. BC, which had the same shape. The ancient temple existed until the 6th century (Christianity had already gained strength, but the popes had not yet told the kings and rulers of cities what to do). Inside the church is simple, small, the altar, entirely made of gray stone, is of interest. Standing inside the ancient walls, it is very easy to imagine how sacrifices were made on the altar in Roman times…

San Lorenzo and Sant Agnes

Entering back into the city limits, we walked along a strange street: lush flowers were planted along the remains of the wall, there were fragments of columns and a statue resembling Athena (Minerva).

The street leads to Piazza Alberti, where on one side stands the church of San Lorenzo, and on the other, a 14th-century palazzo with an asymmetrical facade, breathing antiquity. It's amazing how many ancient palaces have been preserved in the city! The palazzo crowds the palazzo, according to my estimate, 3/4 of the houses in the old city are palazzo. Well, how many nobles were in the city!

At first I diligently photographed each facade and a sign with information hanging on it (so as not to forget what it was called), then I photographed only the most (in my opinion) important ones, like the house of Petrarch or Vasari, and then we just gave up on all this splendor, and admired it thoughtlessly, walking through the streets in the rain ...

But now we are still standing in front of the church of San Lorenzo, which is famous for the fact that in 1541 a bronze statue of the goddess Minerva (as Greek Athena was called in Roman mythology) was found under it - a masterpiece of Etruscan sculpture of the 3rd century BC. BC, the original is now kept in the Archaeological Museum of Florence, and a copy stands along the wall where we just passed. In the 16th century, the church was the temple of the guild of millers and bakers, and in 1631 they chipped in together and paid Bernardino Santini, who decorated the church with frescoes that have survived to this day.

A little further up the street, on a hill, to which the stairs lead, stands the church of Sant Agnese, surrounded by cypress trees directed upwards and decorated on the outside only with a stained-glass window and a gilded mosaic portal in the best Byzantine tradition, depicting St. Agnes and two angels. From ancient church, rebuilt in 1200, only the huge foundation stones have been preserved. The murals inside were made in the 17th century by Bernardino Santini and Domenico Ermini.

San Niccolo and around

We go deeper into the city, guided by a high tower with a jagged edge. The churches of San Bartolomeo and San Niccolò stand in a small square surrounded by ancient palazzos.

The square is mysterious and unexpected: an old house or even a tower is hidden behind every turn, here and there on the walls of the 15th century. standing flower pots,

the palazzo is decorated with endless rows of ropes with linen, a passage to the next street is found in a seemingly dead corner, and the facade of the church, which seemed small and rooted into the ground, on the next street turns into tall church walls. This is San Niccolo, built in 1000. In 1263, two bells by master Giovanni da Pisa were cast here. The church has been well preserved due to the fact that the church was first under the patronage of the Camaldoli monastery, then under the patronage of the Jiratachi family, then under the patronage of the local bishop.

Santa Maria Maddalena and San Michele

The nearby Santa Maria Maddalena has an image of the Madonna giving a rose to the Christ child. The fresco was so revered by the people of Arezzo that when the old cathedral where it was kept was destroyed, a piece of the wall, along with the fresco, was carefully broken out and solemnly brought into the city into the church dedicated to the Madonna.

Closer to the main street of Corso Italia, in a small cozy square, stands the Church of San Michele - both strict and elegant at the same time. Simple masonry gives austerity, elegance - carving that adorns the top and the entrance portal. The church dedicated to St. Michael, revered by the Lombards, who is depicted on the mosaic portal, was built in the 7th-8th centuries, and rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 13th century.

Suddenly we hear a noise and we go out onto a busy street - that's where all the tourists were hiding! In the distance, like the mast of a sailboat, we can see the campanile of the Pieve di Santa Maria church, and we are heading for it past the shores formed by the palazzo of noble Guelph families.

Piazza Grande and around

We have probably never seen such an unusual church as Santa Maria della Pieve! The facade from the side of the street is framed by several galleries, decorated with many different columns, the higher, the closer they are to each other. There are 12 columns on the first tier, 24 on the second, and 32 on the third. The church was built in the 12th-13th centuries. on the foundations of an ancient Roman pagan temple, and some of the columns are clearly of the same origin. The Romanesque bell tower was completed in 1330. The church surprisingly resembles architectural masterpieces Lucca or Pisa - probably the master, whose name has not been preserved, was from those places. But the author of the relief on the portal left his autograph - "Marchio, 1216" - carved forever. Inside the church, the relics of St. Donato, the patron saint of the city, are kept; you can look at the altar created by Vasari in 1564 for the chapel where members of his family are buried; on a marble font and paintings.

Opposite the church on Corso Italia stands a palazzo richly decorated with coats of arms throughout the facade, this Palazzo Pretorio, residence of the captain of the city militia until 1290. The coats of arms belong to the captains, podestas and military commissars of the city from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Two authentic towers have been preserved in the courtyard. On the contrary, in the depths of the square you can see the remains of another residence of the captains, destroyed when the city passed under the hand of the Medici. Closer to the church is the 14th century Palazzo Camaiani-Albergotti with the Torre della Bigazza tower.

And finally, we came to Piazza Grande. What can I say? This is the most unreal beautiful square which I have seen! Moreover, it attracts not with some special majesty or harmony, but precisely with its disorderliness, bright coats of arms, which are hung in houses of different heights (the cutest ones are only two windows wide) and jagged towers surrounding the square, with a charming inclination and unique authenticity. And somehow imperceptibly in the memory Arezzo displaces all the Tuscan cities seen .... It is incomprehensible to the mind how it was possible to make the main square in the city, which is tilted at an angle of 30 degrees? How, for example, were any solemn processions or knightly tournaments held here? But monthly antique fairs still manage to be held here. So I can imagine how boards are slipped under some old chest of drawers or a piano - so that it does not roll away briskly to the other end of the square.

Weddings in a medieval setting are especially tender. In the center of the square, the bride in a beautiful ivory dress with a long train and the groom in a top hat and long frock coat pose at the column, then against the backdrop of the square. They are watched by all the tourists who were at that moment on the square. Probably, the photos of these same newlyweds ended up in several dozen countries!

In addition to the church of Pieve di Santa Maria, the square faces the facades of many palaces, all of the XIV-XVI centuries, with and without towers, including the Palazzo dei Priori, the city magistrate, built in 1333, with interior decoration - frescoes, busts of famous Aretinians, stone statue Madonna and Child with two paintings by Vasari. Nearby is the episcopal palace of the 13th century, decorated inside with frescoes by local masters, and on the facade with the image of the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de Medici.

And finally, the Loggia Vasari with a spacious arched gallery, where there are countless cafe tables.

The construction of this palace was quite symbolic: the Medicis just finally took over Arezzo and in order to show who was the boss in the house, a number of medieval buildings were destroyed, including the ancient episcopal cathedral and the palace of the commune, and in their place the Medici court architect, Giorgio Vasari, erected a new palace. On the wall of the loggia hangs a sculptural portrait of the master. Interestingly, in the homeland of Tsereteli are his works?

Casa Petrarca

A short walk up from Piazza Grande is Casa Petrarca, the birthplace of the great poet. In general, all the houses where the Aretinians were born, which Arezzo is proud of, are marked with special “memorial” plaques - with images of bronze faces.

Opposite is the octagonal Tofano well, mentioned in Boccaccio's Decameron. The legend says that once lived in the city a wealthy citizen Tofano, whose young wife took a lover, whom she met in the evenings. The husband, having found out about this, decided to disgrace the unfaithful, and closed the door when his wife was on a date. Realizing that she was trapped, the insidious traitor immediately found a way out of the situation - grabbing a large stone, she threw it into the well. The husband, who was guarding under the door, heard a splash and decided that the wife, in order to avoid shame, drowned herself, he recklessly opened the front door and ran to the well, and the wife quickly ran into the house, in turn promptly locking the door. The smart lady immediately turned the situation against the unlucky husband, accusing him of being home drunk every evening. Needless to say, the neighbors who woke up from the noise took the side of their wife? Yes, if the men of Arezzo would have been so resourceful, the city would probably never have fallen under the rule of the Medici ...

Cathedral San Cathedral Donato

In the north of the city, high on a hillside, a cathedral appears in front of the traveler, built in the Gothic style in the 13th-16th centuries. The facade of the cathedral has not yet been completed. The interior contains frescoes by Piero della Francesca, stained-glass windows and the Gothic tomb of Bishop Guido Tarlati (Pope Gregory X) also deserve attention.

Opposite stands Palazzo Communale with tower and clock,

and behind the cathedral there is a small cozy park with a monument to Petrarch,

from where you can clearly see the surroundings of the city, vineyards and fields. From the park we go to

Fortezza Medicea

Even before the city was taken over by the Medici, there were three fortresses in it, and once built here, on the hill of San Donato, was the most important, because. defended the cathedral, the palazzo communal and other palaces of noble Ghibelline guys. The fortezza that we saw was built by the order of the new owner of the city, the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo Medici, by the architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder in 1560. It stood safely until the Napoleonic wars, as a result of which hot French guys pretty much destroyed it, and, probably, the citizens would have dismantled it for building materials, if not for patrons from the Fossombroni family, who bought it from the magistrate and preserved it for posterity. Positively, the land of Arezzo is rich in patrons. It is thanks to these wonderful people that the citadel even now looks like a formidable stronghold of the power of the great Tuscan duke…

When we, having admired the weddings, of which there were many in the park, approached the fortress, rain clouds jumped out from behind the hills, and we quickly dived into the arch with the coat of arms at the entrance. Cold corridors, dark passages, and here we are at the top, from where the city is visible at a glance.

A couple of kids and a tourist like us are wandering around the fortress. In a leisurely conversation about the film “Life is Beautiful”, which at that time I did not watch, we went around almost the entire wall, admiring the views, when suddenly something frightening and attractive at the same time appeared before our eyes ... Here's a cinematic pause for you to tense up in anticipation - what's next - and I will cynically start talking about the film .... No, I'm not so harmful. I just didn't understand what it was at first, but, having understood, I just froze. At the very walls of the citadel there was a city cemetery, and the fact that this is a cemetery, you understand later, but at first it seems that this is a bizarre town - some kind of ziggurat in the center, arched walls, and panel houses, which, upon closer examination, turned out to be burial cells ... and candles are burning in each cell, many, many candles ... All this comes into such a striking contrast with the Tuscan hills that it makes you shudder. The sadness of the cemetery is also given by cypress trees, planted around with mourning candles ...

San Domenico

Under heavy rain (of course, we left the umbrella in the hotel in the morning, judging that the sky is so clear that there can be no rain - and there was none - in Florence), sneaking under the porticos and awnings of the palazzo, we went to the church of San Sebastiano (San Sebastiano), where another travel agency is arranged right in the church,

and from there, already frankly splashing through the puddles, they stomped to the Basilica of San Domenico on one of neighboring streets. Outside, in the rain, it looked strange: as if a child, playing, had broken off a piece of the top from the church and the bell tower. On the square in front of the basilica, the chairs are lonely getting wet and the wind rips off the poster - there was a concert recently.

In the morning there was a wedding - there was no soul in the church, but on the floor there was a half-rolled carpet path strewn with rice and flower petals, the altar was decorated with white roses, and bouquets of roses and strong-smelling lilies lay on the backs of the pews. Playful little hands you know who reached out to the bouquet - immediately squeeze the bourgeois bouquet, but no such luck! Bouquets are firmly tied (as if nailed) to the backs, I had to sit on a bench and take pictures hugging a bouquet :)

The basilica was built from 1275 and was completed only at the beginning of the 14th century. San Domenico was favored by noble families and personally Bishop Tarlati of Aretina, so many famous masters of that time applied their skills to the church. In his book Lives of the Most Famous Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vasari claims that the project belonged to the great Nicola Pisano. The interior of the church is quite simple: the nave is a rectangle, the arches of the chapels are decorated with white and green marble, like the Baptistery of Florence. The wooden ceiling is so similar to that of the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence (she will be the first to meet you if you come by train) that it supports the theory that both churches were finished by master monks from Florence, Brother Sisto and Brother Ristoro. The pearl of the interior is the crucifix by Cimabue - 1265-1270.

On the walls are the remains of frescoes by Spinello Aretino and Parri di Spinello. Behind the altar are antique stained-glass windows. Among the sculptures, it is worth seeing the 14th-century Madonna and the statue of St. Peter on the right wall of the school della Robia (a carved wooden "visor" was erected above it). It is a pity that for many centuries the church was forgotten and abandoned, and when a large-scale restoration was carried out in the 19th century, many frescoes could not be saved ...

Casa Vasari

House number 55 on Via XX Settembre (September 20) is known for the fact that in 1547 the then young architect and artist Giorgio Vasari bought the old palazzo, rebuilt it, painted it with frescoes and lived in it until 1574. The court architect of Duke Cosimo de Medici became known not only for his buildings, squares, frescoes and sculptures in many cities of Italy (Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice, Pisa, Bologna, Rimini and Perugia), but also for the fundamental work "Le Vite de" piu eccelenti Pittori, Scultori e Architetti "(Lives of the most famous painters, sculptors and architects). Now the house has a museum with archives of the 16th century, which at one time helped Vasari write his book.

Santa Maria in Gradi

On a small square, where an utterly authentic residential medieval tower, stands the church of Santa Maria in Gradi, built in the 11th-12th centuries, and rebuilt in the Baroque style by Bartolomeo Ammannati in the 16th century. Here, too, there was a wedding in the morning - the bouquets were also nailed, and the front pews were covered with embroidered bedspreads. The interior is decorated with bright frescoes, an altar with huge snow-white candles, and a terracotta relief of the Madonna by Andrea della Robia - its arches with lemons and leaves cannot be confused with anything.

By that time, the rain had stopped, the wind had blown from the mountains, and the temperature had dropped to 23-24 degrees. Probably, for the famous Tuscan vineyards, this weather is the most it, but I froze. Slapping my flip flops through the puddles, I was about to walk on barefoot, when suddenly we saw a small pizzeria. Hooray! Sitting on high stools on the threshold of the restaurant, dangling our legs and looking at the small street in the rain, we ate pizza. The body, having received its portion of carbohydrates, worked hard, warmed up and we crawled out to explore the city further. Having appreciated the churches of S. Benedetto, S. Lorentino, S.S. Annunziata, S. Guiseppino, S.S. Trinita Misericordia and S. Ignazio, we went to another square, where we were met

Badia delle SS. Flora and Lucilla

Founded and built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks, the church was rebuilt in the 16th century. led by Vasari. From the outside, the church looks strange: the strict Romanesque facade is in dissonance with the baroque octagonal bell tower (1650) and the dome, the entrance is shifted to the left and asymmetrical - as if the central entrance arch was greatly expanded on one side, and the builders forgot about the other side. Moreover, some extension on the left is clearly non-church purpose. Inside, the church is decorated in the style of Mannerism: the dome inside is painted by Andrea Pozzo, so much so that it seems like it is real (in Rome there is also a church with such a painting - San Ignacio). In addition to this brilliant hoax, look at the crucifix by Segna di Buonaventura (Segna di Buonaventura, 1319) and the fresco depicting St. Lawrence Bartolomeo della Gatta (Bartolomeo della Gatta, 1476).

San Francesco

The Basilica of San Francesco was built in the XIII-XIV centuries. in the Tuscan Gothic style. The facade of a gloomy kind of severe stone is decorated only with a large round window above the entrance. Inside, part of the space is available for a fee, part of the church is under restoration and you can walk there freely, but I think when it is restored, they will let you inside for 4-5 euros, no less - the frescoes that peek out from behind the forests are amazing .

The main value of the church is the Bacci Chapel with unique frescoes by Piero della Francesca. In 1453, the master received an order for frescoes and created what was recognized as his most famous work. The plot of the frescoes is the story of finding the life-giving tree of the Cross, on which Christ was crucified. “Two prophets are depicted on the back wall. The lunette of the right wall depicts the death of Adam, over whose grave a holy tree grows. Further - the Queen of Sheba, who came to Solomon, worships the Tree from which the threshold is made, seeing in it the image of the future Cross. The next episode is the vision of the Cross to Constantine and his victory over Maxentius. In the second tier of the left and rear wall, Empress Helen finds the Cross: she is shown the place where the crosses on which Christ and two robbers were executed are buried, and she miraculously learns on which of the three crosses Christ was crucified. The scenes of this famous fresco cycle do not constitute a strict chronological sequence, but are consistent with each other in meaning, establishing correspondences between various episodes in the history of finding the Cross. Since 1564, when the artist finished his work, all conceivable and unthinkable misfortunes fell on the frescoes: they were flooded, remade, used as a target, remade again ... In the 90s of the last century, art historians grabbed their heads and a grandiose restoration was announced, which continues this day.

At the very edge of the city, another masterpiece is worth a look - the church of S. Maria della Graces with a stunning Renaissance portico by Benedict Maiano (15th century)

The graceful town of pale ocher stone with Romanesque bell towers again disappeared under a wall of rain, and we decided that this weather was the best suited for departure. Having photographed the monument to Guido Monaco (the inventor of the music system) in the center of the round square near the station, we fled under the roof. Sitting on the platform, my husband thoughtfully studied the list of hotels in the city of Arezzo on the back of the map, and I, sitting on the bench and dangling my legs, thought that life is beautiful - the one and only!

Italy, Tuscany, July 2006

Old italian city- Arezzo attractions photo and description of which cannot be fully contained in a short story. This place is fraught with many mysteries, but everyone can see them with their own eyes and appreciate them for their part.

Before starting a conversation about sights, I suggest looking at the location of Arezzo.

The city is located in the beautiful region of Tuscany, which is famous for its marvelous views, wines and, of course, residents)

Aviamania regularly visits Tuscany and youtube channel avimania you can see the videos filmed in this Italian gem.

Arezzo on the map of Italy

Religious sights of Arezzo:

Basilica of San Francesco

Temple with many frescoes. It was they who glorified the basilica. In 1290, the temple was rebuilt after the complete destruction of the structure. It can be safely called one of the most popular in Italy.

The exterior design of the building is simple and classic. There are no domes or decorated walls, architectural delights. The building is stone, simple. There is a small window up high. And in general, the temple is relatively small, but when tourists go inside, they completely change their minds about what they saw.

The frescoes placed here symbolize different eras. The place is suitable for visiting by those who want to touch the history and know the spirit of bygone times.
The basilica has a lot of decor items, household items, which are placed on separate tables, decorated in a certain theme. You can enter the building for free.

Basilica di San Francesco on the map:

Cathedral of Arezzo

(Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Donato)

Church with the name of Saints Donatus and Peter. The cathedral was rebuilt at least three times in the same place. This is the main fiefdom of the Bishop of Arezzo, Cortona, Sanzepolcro.
In 1278, the construction of the last building of the cathedral began. It's so ancient place that today it is not possible to reliably determine how many times ancient temples were built on the territory.
Arches, columns, portals, decorated in antique style, lure travelers. Decorate with unusual works of art, bas-reliefs, cenotaphs, statuettes of famous people.
The collection is very high. The upper part is decorated with colored glass, closer to the top it narrows. It is spacious inside, and with a small number of visitors, a huge echo is heard.

We continue the theme - Arezzo attractions photo and description.

Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Donato on the map:

Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Religious landmark. Now the church is located on a place that was previously a sanctuary. The source allowed people who come here to be healed, get rid of diseases, in general, to perforate. One of the versions is that people who visited the basilica, after returning home, became calmer, comprehended happiness.
In 1425, Saint Bernardino of Siena wanted to destroy the sanctuary, but it was all in vain. The fact of his failure showed that the sanctuary was not ordinary, but had a spirit of its own.
The saint was expelled from the city. A few years later he managed to return, but this time Bernardino insisted on building a chapel. A fresco of the Madonna di Misericordia is inserted into the marble altar. She is depicted with a baby surrounded by saints and angels.
In 1490, the building was expanded with the addition of a small building. The medallion arcades were created and designed by an architect who was inspired by the work of local craftsmen.

Santa Maria delle Grazie on the map:

Architectural values ​​and sights of Arezzo

Palazzo del Capitano

An elegant building with a façade of great architectural significance. Here you can view a collection of antiquities collected by Ivan Bruska.
The building was built of hewn stone. This is a strict building, which is characterized by the absence of typical architectural delights, a large wide entrance and small windows. The walls are decorated with engravings.
Inside there is a small narrow corridor that leads to the courtyard area. There are the same strict balconies, there is a well, which today plays a special role in shaping the idea of ​​the reign of Arezzo. It is believed that important meetings were held here.
There are also columns and carved decorative elements on the territory of the courtyard. They practically did not collapse for a long time, they are constantly being repaired.
It is spacious inside, there is a staircase to the second floor, everything around is decorated with antiques and interesting objects, stucco does not prevail, but gives a slight decorative effect. Simplicity and comfort reign in the building.
It is better to come here during the day - fairs, thematic exhibitions are organized near the territory of the palazzo, antiques and valuable souvenirs are offered.

Palazzo del Capitano on the map:

Natural attractions of Arezzo:

Il Prato Park (Passeggio del Prato)

The park is located on top of a hill, so everyone should visit this place. There used to be many temples and religious buildings here. However, over time, the buildings were destroyed, and today there is a cozy park on the territory.

If you climb to the top observation deck, you can observe the life of the city from a height. You can also see the countryside surrounding the city.
There are several architectural monuments on the territory, each of which carries a certain idea and was created under the appropriate circumstances. So, a mother who is trying to save her son from war is especially touching for tourists. Lovers will be delighted by the statue of Cupid and Laura's medallion. Everything is here - images that personify true love, death, despair and hope.
Trees of an unusual shape grow on the territory of the park, there are benches, it is green and fresh here. Great place for an evening stroll.

Passeggio del Prato on the map:

Arezzo attractions photo and description: UnoAErre Museum

The jewelry brand, which operates not only in Italy, but also in most countries of the world, has opened its own museum. It is not large, but quite modern, interesting and original. Here are presented for viewing truly noteworthy jewelry. Precious stones, expensive products, the most complex processing and even equipment that is used in the work on jewelry.
In addition to products produced under the brand name, there are models of jewelry that were made by real masters of their craft. Complex works of specialists from different times are collected in the museum.
The idea, which is accompanied by the owners, is to show the history of the development of the field of jewelry creation.
The museum has excellent lighting, chic showcases, and a perfectly thought-out form of the hall. There is not only the usual jewelry, but also original items using precious materials associated with jewelry.
When to come. The museum is open from 09:00 to 18:00. Sometimes the schedule is reduced to 13:00.

Interestingly, during the trip, Aviamania filmed a video at the Pearl Factory, I recommend watching:

Unoaerre Industries Spa - produzione fedi nuziali, oreficeria on the map:

House of Vasari (Casa Vasari)

Until 1540, the house belonged to the owner, who hired an architect whose duties included supervising the construction of the building. However, the house was built slowly, received proper support, and in general, its owner lost interest in the building. But the architect Giorgio Vasari was so imbued with the work that he offered to buy the building in order to carry out repairs in it on his own, and in general to prepare it.
Later, the building was enlarged several times at the expense of private investors. In the 19th century, it passed into private ownership, and today it is a landmark that everyone has access to.
The inside of the house is cozy and everything is at home. To this day, the smell of books lingers here. Antique furniture, small rooms, low-rise houses. If you want to get acquainted with the ancient way of life, it is recommended to go here in the daytime.

Casa Vasari on the map:

Fortress La Fortezza (Medicean Fortress)

Once the fortress was called a citadel. There is a real old town here. The church, residential buildings, the market, the town hall, the palace - everything is poorly preserved, but there is something to see. The surrounding territory does not belong to the fortress, but it is united by a common style and a certain separation from the rest of the world. Being here, you can feel like a time traveler.

You can also look at the bridge that connects the rest of the land and the fortress. There is a shallow ditch under the bridge. The territory is quite large, there are small entrances to the powder magazines, places for storing supplies that were intended to meet the needs in wartime.
Interesting place- Balvedere and bastion - between them are fragments of an ancient amphitheater.
It is also recommended to go to the pagan complex, which is dedicated to Jupiter, Minerva, Juno.

Medicean Fortress on the map:

Piazza San Domenico

A very beautiful, charming square, which is constantly being renovated, but with the observance of the ancient features of architecture and the general style. There is a fortress nearby beautiful park for relax.
The houses along the square are old. They were built in the Middle Ages, so more than once they needed restoration and even partial restructuring. Inside each house there is a separate courtyard, garden, benches. There is an unusual atmosphere here. You can enter the territory of some houses by invitation.
Palazzo Fossombroni belonged to Vittorio Fossombroni. This is a politician and scientist who initiated the construction of many buildings. Inside the house was a large ornate fireplace from 1533. It has recently been relocated to the Museum of Medieval Art.
Also on the square there is a monument that was erected in honor of Vittorio Fossombroni. Dominican monastery, church of San Domenico. The difference of the monastery is an elongated bell tower, which differs from other temples, churches and buildings in general. The architecture of the place is original, but inside there is something to see.

Piazza San Domenico on the map:

Corso Italia street

One of the main city streets. Previously, it led right up to the top of the local hill. For medieval city streets, the direct location and, in general, such a length were unusual. Therefore, races, equestrian competitions were organized here, people gathered. However, as before, this street is not very wide. But this only adds a special charm to the area.
The facades of buildings located on the street have historical and architectural significance. And if many have already been restored and renovated inside, then outside everything looks the same as it did several centuries ago.
Palazzo Sassoli is one of the most interesting buildings. It used to be used as a prison. On the facade are family coats of arms, which is not uncommon for local buildings.
Here are the State Archives and the oldest Bank. You can go to the local museum, church, palace. Walking along the street, you can get acquainted with the history that tells about the different temporal stages of the city's development.

Corso Italia on the map:

Piazza Grande Square

This main square cities. The main thing that she was famous for was the adventure in this place of the Etruscan road. Age - the third century BC.
Previously, there were two cities here - they were called the "City of the Living" and " City of dead". The history of the area is enormous. Here was the largest market, knightly tournaments were held, and now there are City Halls.
Tourists can be advised to visit a stone column with a cross and a ball at the top. This is a modern copy of a real column erected in the 13th century. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, but was restored, because it carried an unusual purpose - it served to denounce debtors and criminals.
Those who want to look at the ancient fountain can be advised to go down to the lower part of the square. It was built in 1602.

Piazza Grande on the map:

The beautiful city of Arezzo, the sights, photos and descriptions of which literally make tourists and travelers visit this place, and those who have already been here, then come back. Fascinating architecture, ancient relics and simply beautiful nature make Arezzo magical and alluring. Do not miss the chance to visit here and see everything with your own eyes.

How to get to Arezzo

Arezzo is the perfect place to immerse yourself in history. Cobbled streets, cozy squares, architectural monuments, labyrinths of roads - all this makes the city surprisingly interesting. You can walk here all day and never repeat yourself on the route. Arezzo really hides in itself the most valuable objects stories. Once the city was considered Etruscan, but later it was conquered by the Roman Empire, and today this Italian town, located in the expanses of Tuscany, is extremely rich in historical monuments from different eras.

The most convenient way to get to Arezzo is from Florence, which is only 82 km away. Railway communication has been established between the cities. Direct trains will take you to Arezzo in 1.5 hours and for 8-14 euros one way. Trains depart from Florence Santa Maria Novella Station twice an hour throughout the day. You can check the schedule at the railway service .

If you are traveling on your own by car, then you should choose the route for movement No. A1 / E35, it is the fastest. Travel time will be approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. By the way, you can rent a car in Florence for travel in advance, for this there are special services for comparing rental offers. rentalcars, and other similar. Car rental offices in Florence are open at the airport of arrival, as well as in the city center on Via di Santa Lucia and Via Forlanini.

If you wish, you can get to Arezzo from any other big city in Italy. So, trains run between Pisa and Arezzo (a change is required in Florence), travel time is 2 hours 10 minutes; between Rome and Arezzo trains run (direct), travel time - 2.5 hours; trains run between Lucca and Arezzo (a change is required in Florence), travel time is 2.5 hours. You can check the schedule at the railway service . Also, these cities are connected highways: Pisa - Arezzo No. SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno and A1 / E35; Rome - Arezzo No. A1 / E35; Lucca - Arezzo No. A11 / E76 and A1 / E35.

Thomas/Arezzo

Arezzo Hotels

Arezzo is quite a popular city among tourists. People come here for a rich excursion program, and for outdoor recreation in the vicinity of the town. For vacationers, Arezzo offers apartments, bed and breakfasts, standard hotels, holiday homes, guest houses, country houses and villas. If you travel by car, you can combine business with pleasure and stay outside the city, in the scenery of beautiful Tuscan nature. If you came to Arezzo by public transport and only for 1 sightseeing day, then it is more logical to stay closer to the historical center with its many attractions.

A good location relative to the city center can boast of such hotels as Graziella Patio Hotel 4* , B&B via Roma 25 , B&B Il Piccolo Cavour , La Corte del Re , La Terrazza. All are located within 500 meters of historical center Arezzo and ideal for a stopover of one or more days. These hotels have received the highest ratings from guests who have already visited Arezzo.

For those who decide to stay in the vicinity of Arezzo, closer to nature, there are also many options. For example, in a villa Ghiandai you can rent excellent apartments and enjoy not only the nature around, but also the outdoor seasonal pool, garden, terrace. WiFi and parking are free. The city center is only 5 km away. at the villa D'Epoca Carniani apartments are also available for rent. The place is suitable for privacy, because. surrounded by a large park. Free private parking and Wi-Fi are provided.

You can check the prices for all possible accommodation options in Arezzo on specialized search engines Booking, Hotellook and others that allow you to compare all existing offers for the required dates.

Attractions Arezzo

Arriving in Arezzo, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will plunge headlong into the ancient and medieval architecture of Italy. It is like traveling back in time, since there are almost no modern buildings in Arezzo. So, for example, in the city you can see a real amphitheater which was built in the first century AD. The amphitheater was partially preserved and in its place later, in the 16th century, a monastery was built.

Attractive and semicircular Piazza Guido of Monaco built in the 18th century. All the main roads of Arezzo intersect in the square, and in the center there is a monument to the same Guido Monaco, who created the musical notation and the tetragram. In general, Arezzo is extremely rich in famous natives. Yes, here you can find house of the poet Petrarch. Now the Academy of Letters, Arts and Sciences of Petrarch functions in the poet's house.

Want to see Arezzo from a bird's eye view? Then go to Medici fortresses, which was erected here in the 16th century. It is located on a hill, and therefore is considered the best place to view the city from above. Around the fortress was created a beautiful landscape park"Prato", which is also a nice place to spend time.

As for the palaces, or the so-called palazzos, there are also a lot of them in Arezzo. Definitely worth a look Palazzo dei Priori, built in the 14th century; Palazzo Pretorio, erected at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries; magnificent renaissance Palazzo Fraternita dei Laichi, created by Bernardo Rosselino in the 15th century. Among the religious buildings it is impossible to stay away from the main Cathedral. It is also located near the Medici fortress and Prato park. The place was not chosen by chance. Despite the fact that the cathedral began to be built in the 13th century, its location is still visible from all points of the city. Inside the cathedral is no less amazing than the outside.

When walking around Arezzo, don't miss Church of Santa Domingo with a Romanesque portal (built in the 13th century), Basilica of San Francesco, where the work "The Legend of the True Cross" by the artist Pierro della Francesca is kept, Abbey of Saints Flora and Lucilla, built by Benedictine monks in the 14th century, Church of Santa Maria 12th century buildings, Church of Santa Maria della Grazia 15th century construction and other facilities. Also in Arezzo there are several notable museums at once. From the artistic museum of medieval and modern art, Vasari's house(chief architect of the city), house-museum of Ivan Bruska. Also curious local Archaeological Museum And Chapel Bacci.

When relaxing in Arezzo, be sure to visit the neighboring Pisa and Lucca. These three cities make up the "golden triangle" of history, science and architecture in Tuscany, and their sights are known throughout the world. Each of the cities can be visited with a day trip, enough to see the main monuments. In addition, Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo are located in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, which makes such trips not only educational, but also very colorful and memorable.