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With approx. 91,600 inhabitants Arezzo rises 296 meters above the sea level, town is set on a steep hill rising from the floodplain of the Arno. Arezzo is about 80 km south-east of Florence.

The city’s history began with Etruscans; Arezzo was one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities, the famous Chimaera of Arezzo, now in Florence, was found here.

It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, as Arretium the city flourished in the days of the Roman Empire; it had a great importance as a military station, well-known in particular for its metal pottery manufactures, the characteristic Arezzo ware.

During the Christian age, Arezzo becomes an Episcopal seat: it is one of the few cities whose succession of bishops is known by name without interruption to the present day.

In 1098 it became a free medieval commune and started fighting against Siena and Florence. From the 11th century to 1384, Arezzo was an independent city-state, generally Ghibelline in tendency, thus opposing the Guelph Florence.

In 1252 the city founded its university, the Studium.

In 1384 Arezzo passed under to Florentine domination and became part of the Medici Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

In 1860 with the unity of Italy Arezzo flourished again, both from the economic and the administrative points of view.

In the 18th century the neighboring marshes, south of Arezzo, were drained and the region became more pleasant. At the end of the century French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Arezzo, but the city soon turned into a base of the resistance against the invaders with the movement of "Viva Maria”.

In 1860 with the unity of Italy Arezzo flourished again, both from the economic and the administrative points of view.

During Second World War city buildings suffered heavy damage, following war there was much rebuilding - broad avenues have replaced many of the medieval alleys.

Today, Arezzo is divided into two parts, the upper city with its many art treasures and the lower, more recent and commercial. In the upper part of the town are the Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Medici Fortress, from which the main streets branch off towards the lower part as far as the gates. The upper part of the town maintains its medieval aspect despite the addition of later structures.

A centre for various industries, Arezzo is renowned for certain specialized crafts, in particular the art of making gold jewellery. Arezzo produces gold jewellery for shops all over Europe.

In addition, it has become a centre for antiques. A flourishing trade has developed culminating the first Sunday of each month in a large antique fair at which all manner of objects can be found. Initially set out under a loggia by Vasari in Piazza Grande, stands displaying these elegant wares have now extended into the adjacent streets and cover practically the entire historic city centre.

Arezzo was the birthplace of Mecenate who became synonymous with the protection of the arts and artists, the poet Francesco Petrarca and Giorgio Vasari, but its most important work of art it owes to a "foreigner", Piero della Francesca, who painted a series of frescos which have recently been restored. These alone merit a visit to the city.

Places to Visit

Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is the geographic centre and where the most important monuments are located in this city built to symbolize the wealth and power of the city state. The square is famous for its regular antiques market. Vasari played his part during the 16th Century with the building of the famous Palazzo delle Logge in 1573. At its lowest part is the 16th Century Fontana Publicca or Public Fountain. On the west side, the facade of the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici is decorated with a relief of the Virgin, 1434 by Bernardo Rossellino. The lower half of the building dates from 1377 and the belfry and clock tower date from 1552. Due to the natural features of the underlying land, the square slopes heavily downwards.

Church of Saint Francis

Church of Saint Francis, the 13th century church, in the square of the same name is a jewel; its walls are completely covered in the frescos of Piero della Francesca depicting the Legend of the True Cross, which is even more impressive following a recent restoration. The church is Gothic, but was restored during the 20th Century. - Pieve di Santa Maria - Parish Church of Saint Mary is also especially beautiful. Built on a medieval nucleus, the church is a splendid example of Romanesque style. A series of blind arches form the base of the facade and support three tiers of loggias made up of columns of different sizes. The portal is decorated with bas relief as is the vault in which the 12 months of the year are portrayed allegorically in sculpture. The bell tower on the side of the church dates to 1330 and is made up of five floors of spires. The interior has three naves with a trussed ceiling.

Duomo

Duomo is at the top of a wide staircase which holds erect its neo-Gothic travertine facade built over what was originally Gothic. Next to a polygonal apse, decorated with tall spires, stands the neo-Gothic bell tower. The interior has three naves covered with ogival vaults and splendid stained glass windows dating from the 16th Century by Guilaume de Marcillat. Near the entrance to the Sacristy is a fresco by Piero della Francesca depicting Maria Magdalene.

Casa Vasari

Vasari`s house, today a museum and archive of his work, was commissioned by the artist during the 16th Century. He supervised the interior decoration himself and painted the caissons on the ceilings and the friezes on the walls. A productive painter and architect, Vasari is most famous for his book "Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" 1530. An account of many great Renaissance artist, led to Vasari being described as the first art historian.

Church of Saint Domenic

The church which has a series of frescos by artist from Arezzo and Siena and a Crucifix painted on a wooden tablet by a young Cimabue.

The Museo Statate d`Arte Medievale e Moderna

The Public Museum for Medieval and Modern Art- located in Palazzo Brunni-Chiocci, consist of a collection of Tuscan art from the 14th Century and includes one of the most important collections of Italian majolica made between the 15th-18th Centuries.

Fortezza Medici

Imposing fortress was built for Cosmo I during the 16th century. It was partly demolished in the 18th century, living only ramparts intact. With its excellent views across the Arno valley, it remains an perfect spot for a picnic.

Parco il Prato

City’s largest public park, it contains a huge statue, 1928 of the great poet Petrarch. The house where he was born 1304 stands at the entrance to the park in Via dell Orto.

The facade of Palazzo Pretorio

Governor’s Palace in Via dei Pillati is covered with the crests of Florentine officials and important families.

Anfiteatro Romano e Museo Archeologico

A ruined Roman amphitheater stands near the Museo Archeologico to the south of Arezzo. Famous for its extensive collection of Roman Aretine ware, the museum has a display showing how this high quality red-glazed pottery was produced during the 1st century BC and exported throughout the Roman Empire.

For more information visit

• Comune Arezzo
• Provincia Arezzo