Capital city of the Tuscan province, Arezzo is 296 meters above sea level. It is located on a hillside between Casentino, Valdichiana and the upper Valdarno. This geographical position has favored the development of artisan (especially goldcraft) and industrial activities. The city has given birth to famous people like Petrarch, Aretino and Vasari, and has maintained an extremely interesting historical and artistic tradition since the Middle Ages. The historic center contains stupendous works of art and testimonies from every era.

Arezzo owes its name and its foundation to the Etruscans (4th century B.C.). In the Roman era, it became an important military outpost on the Via Cassia. Of lesser importance in the High Middle Ages, the city underwent an economic and building revival between the 9th and 12th centuries, thanks to the power exercised by the bishops. In 1098, it became a free commune. Conflict with the neighboring cities of Siena and Florence intensified, until it suffered a grave blow from Florence in the battle of Campaldino (1289). In the 14th century, Arezzo definitively lost its freedom and passed under the Signori of the Medici. Only with the Unity of Italy, did the city again find the strength to reaffirm its administrative and economic importance.

Piazza Grande. An irregular space full of activity in the historic center, it is the headquarters of the major folkloristic and social events. The beautiful piazza, a backdrop for its many buildings in many styles, was created in the 13th century and was modified by Cosimo I in the 16th century. Facing it are many important monuments from various periods: the elegant Palace of the Fraternity of the Lay Brothers, Gothic on its lower level, presents a refined Renaissance appearance on its upper floors. It was created by Rossellino. The lunette over the doorway is embellished with a fresco attributed to Spinello Aretino. Crowning the building is a triangular belltower with a clock (16th century). The north side of the piazza is dominated by the Palace of the Loggia, by Vasari, whose entranceway contains antique shops. Typical medieval houses with wooden balconies stand out among the other buildings. On the lower side of the piazza, there is a public fountain from the 1500s. Alongside is the spendid Romanesque apse of the Pieve di S. Maria, one of the most original examples of Tuscan Romanesque (12th to 14th centuries). On the stone faחade, with blind arches and three rows of loggia, there are reliefs depicting the cycles of the months. This is an allegorical work from the 13th century. The imposing belltower is called of one hundred holes because of its structure with linked bifores. The suggestive interior, with three naves, is on a Romanesque plan (the crypt is the oldest part) with Gothic influences. Among the most important works are the polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti (1320), a marble bas relief (13th century) representing a nativity, and the splendid gold Reliquary of S. Donato, from 1346.

The Pieve faces Corso Italia. This has been the main street since the Middle Ages. It is rich in beautiful shops, elegant palaces, Gothic buildings, and medieval towers. Nearby is the Church of S. Francesco, dating to the 1200s but refurbished in the 14th century in sober Francescan Gothic style. Its unfinished stone and brick faחade is flanked by a belltower from the 1500s. Within, one is struck by the contrast between the bare Francescan style and the remains of Renaissance frescoes. The famous Legend of the True Cross, a wonderful cycle executed by Piero della Francesca in the 15th century, decorates the walls of the chorus. There are other masterpieces by Spinello Aretino, Neri di Bicci, and Luca Signorelli. Below the Basilica is the lower church, built in prestigious Romanesque style. In the ancient via dei Pilaeati stands the 14th century Pretorial Palace. Its faחade is rich in mayorial crests. The palace houses the Arentina Library, which contains precious volumes and ancient manuscripts.

Crossing the Passaggio del Prato, a beautiful public garden dedicated to Petrarch, one reaches the scenic stairway of the Duomo of S. Peter. This imposing Gothic construction was not finished until the 16th century. Within, there are beautifully illustrated glass windows, designed by de Marcillat (16th century). In the Presbytery is the Ark of S. Donato, a marble urn richly sculpted in Gothic style (14th century). Among the most notable works are The Magdalene, a fresco by Piero della Francesca (1465), and some valuable terracottas by Andrea della Robbia. The Sacristy contains the Diocesan Museum, with artworks by Andrea di Nerio, Spinello Aretino, Vasari, and Bartolomeo della Gatta. Open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Roman Amphitheater (2nd century A.D.) could contain 8,000 spectators. All that remain are the vestiges of the Ambulacrum and the Plateum. The adjacent Mecenate Archaeological Museum preserves a vast and important documentation of the Arezzo area from pre-history to Roman times. Always open, except during principal holidays.

The prestigious Bruni-Ciocchi Palace (15th century) houses the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. The collection ranges from the Middle Ages to the 18th century and offers an exhaustive collection of the artistic production of Arezzo, including works by Della Robbia, Signorelli, Margaritone d'Arezzo, Rossellino, Vasari, Carracci and other painters of the Tuscan Macchiaioli School (Fattori, Cecioni and Signorini). Closed Mondays.

The house of Giorgio Vasari is a beautiful Renaissance dwelling, commissioned by the artist himself. On display are furnishings and decorations in the Mannerist style of the 16th century. The frescoes are by Vasari and there is an important gathering of paintings from the Tuscan School. Open every day.

The Church of S. Domenico (12th century) stands alone in this small piazza. The Romanesque faחade, surmounted by a small triangular belltower, presents a beautiful doorway with frescoed lunette. The luminous nave is rich in frescoes and houses a celebrated wooden Crucifix, an early work by Cimabue (1260).

Diocesan Museum
Piazza Duomo, Tel. 0575-23991

Mecenate Archaeological Museum
Via Margaritone, Tel. 0575-20882

Museum of Medieval and Modern Art
Palazzo Bruni-Ciocchi, via S. Lorentino, Tel. 0575-409050

House of Giorgio Vasari
Via XX Settembre

By Car:
Highway A1, from Florence-Rome
State Road SS73 from Siena

By Train:
Rail communications follow the highway routes: connections with Florence, Rome, Bologna.

By Air:
The nearest airport is A. Vespucci Airport of Florence- Peretola (Tel. 055-333498).

The historic center can be visited enjoyably on foot. There are parking areas located at the principal points of access: to the north, near the Church of S. Domenico; to the east, in Via Leone; to the southeast, near the railroad center.

The transport agency (ATAM) offers shuttle-bus services (Tel. 0575-984520).

Tourist Information
APT, Agency for the Promotion of Tourism
Piazza Risorgimento, 116, Tel. 0575-23952

Information office
Piazza della Repubblica, 28, Tel. 0575-377678

Useful Numbers
Carabinieri: 112
Emergencies: 113
Fire Department: 115
Urban Police: 0575-906667
Doctor on Call: 118
Road Assistance: 116
Railway Station: 0575-22663
Taxi Service: 0575-382626

Walking downtown, one cant help but admire the many elegant windows of the famous gold shops. Even today, the artisans use complex techniques, like the ancient Florentine mosaic. The shops of restorers and antique furniture dealers are quite prestigious. Food shops show the typical alimentary productions of the peasant tradition (oil, wine, meats). Finally, at the Caffי dei Costanti, an ancient literary cafי in the downtown area, one can taste the exquisite chocolate gatto`, a sweet of French origin that arrived in Arezzo in the Napoleonic era.

Teatro Comunale Petrarca
Via Guido Monaco, Tel. 0575-23975

Antique Market (the largest in Italy), every first Saturday and Sunday of the month in Piazza Grande.

International Goldwork Show, the month of September.

Market and display of Tuscan wines, the month of September, in the community of Olmo.
Saracen Games: a horseback tournament of medieval origin, preceded by a solemn procession through the downtown streets; the last Sunday of August and the first Sunday of September, in Piazza Grande.

International Polyphonic Competition Guido d'Arezzo: one of the largest in Europe; held at the end of August, at the Petrarch Theatre