How to use the guide?

It’s really easy!

The itinerary I have created is set up so that you have a practical route to explore the city! Before each attraction you will find buttons like the one below 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Example !

Just press over the button and you will be guided with google maps to the next point! Once you reach your destination you can come back to this guide and read or listen to all the information and trivia!

In the next paragraph I will also leave you with a map of the entire route but you won’t need it to explore the city!

If you want to see a demo of how to use the guide, click on the button below 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Show me a demo!
What to do in Arezzo in a day?

Even if it is often overlooked, you should know that Arezzo is a very interesting place!

This small city is rich in history, art and culture, not to mention the fact that it is the birthplace of some of the most illustrious figures of Italian culture such as the writer Francesco Petrarca, the painter Piero della Francesca and the art historian Giorgio Vasari.

 

The tour I am proposing today covers a distance of 4 kilometres and will last approximately 3 hours. We will start from the Cathedral of the city of Arezzo (click here to get there now)!

 

Ps: if you need anything, feel free to contact me on Whatsapp by clicking here!

And now… let’s go!

The tour!

Map Preview & How to use it

Let me show you the preview of our route! By scrolling the guide you will find buttons to click that will always take you to the next attraction/monument (so this map is just to give you an idea about the itinerary, no need to use it now🤓)!

The yellow markers are the monuments and attractions we will see.

The brown markers are some extras not included in our tour but which you can visit if you have time left.

The red indicators, on the other hand, are some of my favorite restaurants (I tell you more about them at the end)!

I would say we are ready to get started!

Introduction & History of the city

Arezzo is located in central Italy and has about 100,000 inhabitants. It has very ancient origins and has some of the most important masterpieces of Italian art.

 

 

Unfortunately, its historic center suffered extensive damage due to the bombings that occurred during the Second World War.

In this regard, it was right here, in the center of Arezzo, that some of the most famous scenes of Roberto Benigni’s award-winning film “Life is Beautiful”, which tells the tragedies of the Holocaust, were filmed.

 

Before we begin our exploration, let me tell you a little history!

Etruscan origins and Roman period

Arezzo is one of the oldest cities in Tuscany, founded by the Etruscans around the 9th-8th century BC. It was known as Arretium and became one of the main centers of Etruscan culture, famous for its metalworking and ceramics. During the Roman era, Arezzo maintained its importance, becoming a strategic city on the Via Cassia, which connected Rome with some cities in Central and Northern Italy. It was known for the production of high-quality ceramics, the so-called Aretine ceramics, exported throughout the Roman Empire.

Middle Ages

With the fall of the Roman Empire, Arezzo suffered barbarian invasions, but still managed to maintain a certain importance in the Lombard and Carolingian periods. In the Middle Ages, the city developed as an important free commune, prospering economically and culturally. However, in the 13th century, Arezzo found itself involved in the struggles between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, siding with the Ghibelline side against Florence. The Battle of Campaldino (1289), in which Dante Alighieri fought as a Florentine, marked a serious defeat for Arezzo, which thus saw its political influence reduced.

Renaissance

In 1384, Arezzo came under the control of Florence, becoming part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. This period saw a flourishing of the arts and culture, with the birth of important figures such as Francesco Petrarca, Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari. The city became a major cultural center, although politically subordinate to Florence.

Modern era

During the Medici period and subsequently the Italian unification, Arezzo underwent urban and social transformations. The city continued to be an agricultural and commercial center, while maintaining a strong cultural identity linked to its past.

In the twentieth century, Arezzo was hit hard during the Second World War, with bombings that damaged part of its historical heritage. However, the city managed to recover and enhance its role as a cultural and artistic center.

The origin of the name of the city of Arezzo is a matter of debate among scholars. The Etruscans, who were the first great civilization to settle in the area, called the city Aritim, a term that seems to refer to its geographical position, perhaps linked to an older term indicating a settlement built on a hillside.

An important testimony to the ancient name of Arezzo is found in an Etruscan inscription in Tarquinia, in the tomb of Larthi Cilnei, an Etruscan noblewoman related to the same family as Maecenas. The epitaph contains a phrase that mentions “aritinar”, a term that includes the Etruscan root of Arezzo.

 

 

In Roman times the city was called by the Latin term Arretium.

Later in the Middle Ages it was simplified to Aretium and finally to Arezzo, as it is called today.

Let’s start our journey to discover Arezzo from the city’s Cathedral!

let's start 🇮🇹 !

A. Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus

The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus is located on the hill of San Pietro, in the upper part of the city.

In 1203 Pope Innocent III decreed the transfer of the cathedral, originally located in the episcopal citadel on the Pionta hill, inside the city walls. Initially the church of San Pietro Maggiore was used, but in 1277, thanks to the legacy of Pope Gregory X, who died in Arezzo while returning from the Council of Lyon, a meeting of the most important exponents of the Medieval Catholic Church who had gathered in France to discuss reunification with the Orthodox Church.

The works for the construction of the church were promoted by the bishop Guglielmino degli Ubertini, but suffered a setback after the defeat in the Battle of Campaldino in 1289, to resume at the beginning of the fourteenth century.

The economic crisis of the 14th century and the final submission of Arezzo to Florence in 1384 caused further interruptions. Construction resumed in 1471 and was completed in 1511, although renovation and completion work continued in the following centuries.

The external facade, for example, remained bare for many centuries and was only completed in 1914.

The interior, divided into three naves, houses a rich artistic and religious heritage. Among the most important works, the hexagonal baptismal font, decorated with a bas-relief of the “Baptism of Jesus”, attributed to Donatello, stands out.

Inside the church there is the Chapel of the Madonna del Conforto, built in 1796 in neoclassical style, which preserves a majolica of the “Madonna del Conforto”. The chapel is also an important museum of Renaissance glazed terracotta, thanks to the works of Andrea della Robbia and his workshop, transferred here from other churches in the city.

The dome and vaults of the chapel are covered with frescoes created at the end of the 18th century and depicting episodes from the Old and New Testaments as well as scenes involving the Virgin Mary.

The main altar is dominated by the “Ark of St. Donato”, a Gothic marble masterpiece.

The complex is composed of three elements: the altar itself, completed before 1289; a marble altarpiece decorated with detailed bas-reliefs, spires and pinnacles, added in the second half of the fourteenth century; and the large Ark which houses the relics of the Patron Saint and other martyrs of Arezzo.

The miracle of the Chapel of the Madonna del Conforto is a deeply significant religious event for the city of Arezzo, which occurred in February 1796. This event is at the origin of the devotion to the Madonna del Conforto, whose image is today kept in the chapel of the same name inside the Cathedral of Arezzo.

 

 

In February 1796, Arezzo and the surrounding areas were hit by a series of violent earthquakes, which threw the population into panic. In a small room attached to the church of San Nicolò, outside the city walls, there was a majolica depicting the Madonna and Child, made in the 15th century. This image, blackened by the smoke from the candles, began to glow. This phenomenon was interpreted by the faithful as a divine sign.

Following prayers addressed to the Virgin Mary in front of the image, the seismic tremors suddenly ceased on February 15, 1796. The population attributed this event to a miraculous intervention of Virgin Mary, who has since then been venerated with the title of Madonna del Conforto, translated from Italian to “Our Lady of Comfort”.

After the miracle, the image was transferred to the chapel of the same name in the Cathedral of Arezzo.

The visit of the cathedral is free.

The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 1.30pm to 6pm.

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Arezzo is an important cultural institution located next to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donato.

This museum houses a rich collection of works of art and liturgical objects. The museum is located in the Palazzo Vescovile, a historic building that served as the official residence of the bishops of Arezzo during the medieval and Renaissance periods.

The works preserved in the museum range from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Among the most significant pieces are works by great masters such as Giorgio Vasari, Luca Signorelli and Bartolomeo della Gatta.

There are also statues and reliefs in wood and marble, often coming from churches of the diocese, chalices, reliquaries, crosses and other liturgical objects decorated with precious materials.

The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. As I have already mentioned, there is a single ticket to visit the Arezzo Cathedral and the Diocesan Museum that costs €10. Alternatively, the ticket for the museum only costs €6.



Now we pass in front of the house of the famous Benedictine monk Guido Monaco!

Andiamo 🇮🇹 !

B. Guido Monaco's Birthplace

Guido Monaco di Arezzo, also known simply as Guido d’Arezzo, was an Italian Benedictine monk and a major figure in the history of Western music, who lived between the 10th and 11th centuries. He is most famous for his contributions to musical notation and the teaching of liturgical chant.

 

 

It was he who introduced the names of musical notes based on a liturgical hymn dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The verses of the hymn began with successive syllables which then became the names of the notes:

  • Ut (later replaced by “Do”)
  • Re
  • Mi
  • Fa
  • Sol
  • La
  • (Si  was added later, using the initials of Sancte Ioannes).

 

Let’s continue our tour and move to the Basilica of San Domenico!

let's go 🇮🇹 !

C. Basilica of San Domenico

The Basilica of San Domenico is located in the square of the same name in Arezzo and is one of the most important sacred buildings in the city. Its construction began in 1275 and was completed during the 14th century, thanks to the funding of the Ubertini and Tarlati families, the two most influential families during the Middle Ages in Arezzo. In January 1276, although still incomplete, the church hosted what is considered the first conclave in the history of the Catholic Church.

 

 

The Gothic façade, built in “pietra forte”, an italian type of sandstone, is characterised by an evident asymmetry and includes a bell gable with two bells, located on the right side.

Above the entrance door, the lunette protected by the modern porch houses a fresco by Angelo di Lorentino depicting the Madonna and Child between Saint Dominic and Saint Donato.

The basilica has a single nave, illuminated by 12 windows, arranged in such a way as to accentuate the depth of the space. The walls are decorated with frescoes mainly from the 14th century including a Crucifixion, an Annunciation and a Madonna with Child attributed to Giovanni d’Agnolo Balduccio.

 

 

Suspended in front of the presbytery is the crucifix by the Italian artist Cimabue. This crucifix is still considered today as one of the masterpieces of the thirteenth century, datable to the late sixties of the same century, made by a young Cimabue.


The conclave of January 1276 held in the Basilica of San Domenico in Arezzo is considered the first conclave in the history of the Catholic Church. This conclave was convened to elect the pope after the death of Pope Adrian V, who had died on August 18, 1276. His death had left the papal see vacant, and the cardinals, for the first time in history, gathered to elect a new pope in a closed meeting, a process that would become the practice in subsequent conclaves.

The reason why the conclave was held in Arezzo, and not in Rome or another traditional location, is related to the political situation at the time. The conflicts between the Roman factions and the difficult situation in Italy, with Rome itself unstable, made it difficult to convene a conclave in Rome. Therefore, the conclave was held in Arezzo, which was under the control of the Tarlati family, one of the most influential families in Tuscany, but also a relatively safe city at that time.

The cardinals of the Church participated in this conclave, but the exact number and names are not fully documented. However, the conclave resulted in the election of Pope John XXI, who became Pope from 1276 to 1277. His election was quick as was the duration of his papacy (less than a year). However, this was still a turning point in papal practices.

Now we move to the Casa Vasari Museum!

to the museum 🇮🇹 !

D. Casa Vasari Museum

The Casa Vasari Museum is a splendid Renaissance residence located in the heart of Arezzo. It was purchased and decorated personally by Giorgio Vasari, a famous painter, architect and art historian, best known for his fundamental work “The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects”.

“The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects” , commonly abbreviated to “Le Vite”, is a seminal work of art history written by Giorgio Vasari and first published in 1550. It is a collection of biographies of Italian artists, enriched by critical comments, anecdotes, and personal observations by the author. The second edition, expanded and corrected, was published in 1568, becoming the reference text for understanding the Renaissance and Italian art.

Giorgio Vasari purchased the building in 1541, transforming it into a true treasure chest of art. The house is divided into several rooms, all decorated by Vasari himself with frescoes full of mythological and allegorical symbols, celebrating culture, the arts and beauty.

One of the main rooms is certainly the Salone del Camino. This room takes its name from the large central fireplace and features frescoes with mythological scenes and allegories dedicated to virtue and glory.

Other rooms are dedicated to classical culture, the arts and fame with decorations celebrating music, poetry and the arts.

In addition to the original frescoes, the museum preserves works of art and documents related to Vasari’s life and artistic production.

Outside we also find a small and charming Renaissance garden. The visit allows us to understand not only the aesthetic taste of the time, but also the role of Vasari as a theoretician and organizer of the arts of the Renaissance.

The cumulative ticket allows you to visit 4 museums: Basilica of San Francesco, Casa Vasari Museum, Archaeological Museum, National Museum of Medieval Art. The ticket is valid for 72 hours and the first monument to visit must be the Basilica of San Francesco. This ticket costs €20.

Here is the website to buy tickets online.

The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 18:30, and on Sunday from 8:30 to 12:30. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Now let’s continue until we reach the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art!

Andiamo 🇮🇹 !

E. National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art

The National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art in Arezzo is one of the city’s main cultural centers and houses a rich collection that ranges from the medieval period to the 19th century. Located in the Palazzo Bruni-Ciocchi, also known as Palazzo della Dogana, an elegant Renaissance building from the 15th century, the museum presents works that testify to the artistic and cultural evolution of Tuscany.

 

 

The collection includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture and objects of liturgical use, representing different eras and artistic schools. Among the most important works are masterpieces by great masters such as Giorgio Vasari, Spinello Aretino, Bartolomeo della Gatta and Pietro Lorenzetti. Of particular importance are the medieval panels and polyptychs, which testify to the religious and artistic fervor of the period.

The rooms of the palace themselves, with their decorated coffered ceilings and terracotta floors, contribute to creating an immersive atmosphere, perfect for appreciating art in a historical context.

As I have already explained, there is a cumulative ticket that allows you to visit 4 museums: Basilica of San Francesco, Casa Vasari Museum, Archaeological Museum, National Museum of Medieval Art. The ticket is valid for 72 hours and the first monument to visit must be the Basilica of San Francesco. This ticket costs €20.

Here is the website to buy tickets online. 

The museum is open from Tuesday to Wednesday from 8:30 to 19, and from Thursday to Saturday from 8:30 to 13:30. It is closed on Mondays and Sundays.

The symbol of the Chimera is deeply significant for Arezzo because it represents a direct link with its glorious Etruscan past and its artistic and cultural heritage.

The Chimera of Arezzo is one of the most representative masterpieces of Etruscan art and a symbol of the technical and creative ability of this ancient civilization. Made of bronze in the 4th century BC, the sculpture represents the Chimera, a mythological creature with the body of a lion, a goat’s head emerging from its back and a tail ending in a snake.

The statue was discovered in Arezzo on November 15, 1553 during the construction of the city’s fortifications, ordered by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. After its discovery, the Chimera was transferred to Florence and became one of the most prestigious pieces in the Medici collections. It is currently preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.

The Chimera is an extraordinary example of the Etruscan technique of lost-wax casting and the mastery of the artists in realizing the details. Despite some missing parts, such as the right hind leg and part of the goat’s horns, the statue maintains an imposing presence. The Chimera is a figure of Greek mythology, famous for having been defeated by the hero Bellerophon with the help of the winged horse Pegasus.

 

 

In the Etruscan context, the work could have had a religious function, probably as a votive offering or object of worship. An inscription on the foreleg reports the word TINSCVIL, which links it to Tinia, the supreme deity of the Etruscan pantheon, equivalent to the Roman Jupiter.

The Chimera of Arezzo is not only an artistic masterpiece, but also a symbol of the city itself, celebrating its ancient history and connection with the Etruscans. Copies of the statue can be found in various places, including near Porta San Lorentino in Arezzo, where it was discovered.

Now let’s continue to the Basilica of San Francesco!

to the church 🇮🇹 !

F. Basilica of San Francesco

The Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, with its unfinished façade, houses an extraordinary artistic heritage.

Among the most famous works, the fresco cycle The Story of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca stands out, a universal masterpiece that decorates the Bacci Chapel, commissioned by the wealthy Arezzo family that took its name. The work, begun by Bicci di Lorenzo and completed by Piero della Francesca between 1452 and 1466, narrates episodes taken from the Golden Legend by Jacopo da Varagine, which we will discuss shortly.

 

 

The church, built by the followers of Francis of Assisi starting in 1290, maintains the original Romanesque style. The facade, incomplete due to lack of funds, has a troubled history. There have in fact been several attempts at completion, such as that of 1870, which have left evident signs, but the entrance was modernized only in 1990, reflecting the long historical path of the monument.

It is also said that in the 14th century Monna Tessa, a woman of the people, donated a considerable sum for the construction of the basilica. However, the funds were not enough, and the facade remained unfinished.

In addition to the main cycle, the Basilica houses works by other artists, including frescoes by Spinello Aretino, also visible in other churches in Arezzo and in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. However, many of these masterpieces have suffered from abandonment and the historical events that have affected the church, including a fire in 1556 and its use as a warehouse in the Napoleonic era.

During the 20th century, restoration interventions have allowed the recovery of part of the artistic heritage, even if some losses are irreversible.

The Legend of the True Cross tells the story of the wood used to build the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The episodes are inspired by the Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine, a famous collection of lives of saints and explanations of liturgical feasts, compiled by the Dominican friar between 1260 and 1270. This work, very popular during the Middle Ages, is based mainly on the Apocryphal Gospels, although it has undergone several revisions over time.

The Apocryphal Gospels are a collection of religious texts written in the early centuries of Christianity that were not included in the official canon of the Bible. The term “apocryphal” comes from the Greek apókryphos , meaning “hidden” or “secret”, and initially did not have a negative connotation. Over time, however, it was used to indicate texts of dubious authenticity or not recognized by the official Church.

According to legend, the wood of the True Cross originated from a tree born from a seed planted in the mouth of Adam, the first man, at his death. This seed, according to some versions, came from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden.

The tree grew and was used in different eras for various sacred and profane purposes, until it became part of the destiny of Christ.



Now we move to the most important square in Arezzo: Piazza Grande!

let's go 🇮🇹 !

G. Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande, located in the historic center of Arezzo, is an iconic and fascinating place, known for its particular trapezoidal shape and inclined plane. The square dates back to the 12th century, but underwent significant transformations in the 16th century.

It was Giorgio Vasari, commissioned by the Fraternita dei Laici, who redesigned part of the area, introducing the Palazzo delle Logge, which I will tell you about later. This intervention required a reduction in the original size of the square, which once housed the structures of the Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo del Popolo, dismantled to make room for the Fortezza Medicea.

Some scenes from the film “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Benigni were filmed in this very square, such as when he is seen several times riding his bike and it is here that the famous “Giostra del Saracino” is held every year.

The Giostra del Saracino is a historical tradition and one of the main cultural events of Arezzo, which takes place twice a year, on the first Sunday of June and the first Sunday of September. It is a medieval reenactment in which the city’s neighborhoods challenge each other in a competition that recalls the ancient jousts of knights.

The joust consists of a series of knights who, on horseback, must hit a target, the “Saracen”, which is a mannequin symbolizing a Turkish soldier, dressed in armor. The act of hitting a simulacrum of a “Turk” represents a symbolism linked to the period of the Crusades and the wars against the “infidels,” especially the Muslims, who in the Middle Ages were perceived as the main enemies of Christianity.

The knights come from the historic districts of the city, which are:

  • Saint Donatus
  • Holy Mary
  • Cruciferous Gate
  • Gate of the Forum

The winner of the Giostra del Saracino receives the “Cencio”, a painted cloth, which represents the symbol of the victory of the neighborhood. The Giostra is one of the most beloved events of the city and every year attracts numerous tourists and lovers of history and traditions

Palazzo delle Logge

Designed by Giorgio Vasari, the Palazzo delle Logge dominates the upper side of the square. With its elegant Renaissance-style portico, it represents a perfect balance between monumentality and simplicity.

Work began on January 27, 1573, but the death of the famous architect and painter, which occurred the following year, left the project unfinished. Construction was completed in 1595 under the guidance of Alfonso and Giulio Parigi.

The Palazzo delle Logge radically transformed the urban layout of Piazza Grande, reducing its area to the north-east. The long portico, with cross vaults, housed shops equipped with the typical parapets for displaying products.

The historic shops under the loggia are a living reminder of the ancient commercial function of the square.

A curious plaque, a copy of the original, recalls that walking under the loggia was forbidden to the lower classes, the so-called “plebaglia”, a pejorative word meaning “rabble,” “mob,” or “riffraff”. It was used to describe a group of people perceived as vulgar, uneducated, or of low social status, often in a disdainful or dismissive way.

In 1670 a similar building was planned for the opposite side of the square, but the project was rejected by the Florentine Magistrate.

In the center of the loggia a monumental staircase connects Piazza Grande to Piazza del Praticino. On the far north side is the so-called Teatro Vasariano.

The idea of the theatre was born in the cultural ferment of Renaissance Florence, where Vasari was influenced by the birth of the Camerata de’ Bardi, a group that contributed to the creation of melodrama. Vasari included a theatre space in the project of the Palazzo delle Logge, but its construction took place after his death, between 1580 and 1586. The Teatro Vasariano gradually lost relevance with the construction of the Teatro Petrarca in the 1830s. In 1867, it ceased its theatrical activities and, in 1871, it was transformed into a Court of Assizes, serving the Tribunal located in the nearby Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici.

Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici

Construction of the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici began in 1375, with much of the work completed under the direction of Vasari in the mid-16th century. In the late 18th century, the palace underwent significant renovations with the support of Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine.

It was built to house the headquarters of the Fraternita dei Laici, an important lay institution in Arezzo, founded in 1262. This organization had as its main purpose the support of charitable works, such as the care of the poor, assistance to the sick and the management of the various social and religious activities of the city.

Even today, the “Fraternita dei Laici” continues to be an important lay institution in Arezzo.

In 1546, the Fraternity asked the Municipality of Arezzo for permission to receive an old unused bell, with the intention of building a bell tower above the loggia designed by Giuliano and Algozzo da Settignano. The works were supervised by Giorgio Vasari and concluded in 1550.

The facade of the palace is characterized by a large portal, surmounted by a lunette that houses a copy of the fresco Cristo in pietà by Spinello Aretino, whose original work is located inside the palace itself. Above the lunette, the stone sculptural group of the Madonna della Misericordia, with the saints Lorentino and Pergentino, was created by Bernardo Rossellino.

The paintings and sculptures in the palace often depict figures of the time who sought the protection of the Virgin Mary, such as benefactors and influential merchants.

In 1786, the palace became the seat of the City Court, a role it maintained until 2008, when the Court was moved to a new location. In 2010, the palace regained its historical function, once again hosting the Fraternity and its historical archive. Today, the Museum of the Fraternity of the Laity offers a series of temporary exhibitions and preserves a large collection of works of art.

Among the works on display, the Plan of the Vasari Conduct of Arezzo and the Fountain of the Piazza stands out, created by the cartographer Giovan Battista Girelli in 1696, which illustrates the ancient aqueduct designed by Vasari, still visible today in Piazza Grande.

In 1552, the clockmaker Felice di Salvatore da Fossato created an astronomical clock that, connected to three bells, strikes the time every quarter of an hour and also provides astronomical information.

This is a unique masterpiece in Italy, still in perfect working order despite its almost five centuries of history. Made in 1552, this extraordinary clock is manually wound every day and continues to mark the time with its chimes, which resonate every hour.

In addition to the classic mechanism that regulates the hour hand, the clock has an ingenious system that shows the movement of the Sun and the Moon around the Earth, based on the Ptolemaic conception of the universe. Its most surprising peculiarity, however, is the sphere of the Moon, which not only rotates around the Earth, but also on itself. This detail allows the inhabitants to know the ideal moments for agricultural activities, such as sowing and harvesting.

According to legend, the ingenious creator of the clock was murdered immediately after completing the work, to prevent him from replicating the design elsewhere.

This masterpiece, unique in its complexity and beauty, is one of the wonders that make a visit to Arezzo unforgettable – a true treasure that could not be missed in our exploration of the city!



Tickets to visit the museum inside the palace cost €5. The museum is open every day from 10:30 to 18:00.

Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta 

The Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta is an ancient urban baptismal church, whose origins date back to between the 5th and 6th centuries, perhaps built on the remains of a pagan building. Later, around the 9th century, a larger structure was built. In the 12th century, this early medieval church was also demolished to make room for a new building in Romanesque style.

The famous bell tower, nicknamed “of a hundred holes”, was completed around 1330.

The tower is so called because of its unique architectural feature, in fact it has numerous arched openings distributed on all its sides, which seem to form a sort of “grid”.

These openings were not only decorative, but also had a practical role. They served to make the tower lighter, decreasing the overall weight on the underlying structures.

In the following centuries, particularly between the 13th and 14th centuries, the church was enriched with frescoed chapels.

In the sixteenth century, the first renovations began under the guidance of Giorgio Vasari. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Pieve underwent baroque transformations that profoundly altered its appearance.

In the crypt of the church, there is the magnificent reliquary bust of San Donato, created in 1346 by Paolo Ghiselli and Pietro Vanni, a goldsmith’s work of art in gilded silver decorated with enamels and precious stones.

The Romanesque façade features many arches and colonnades. On the lunette of the central portal stands a sculpture dated 1216 attributed to Marchio or Marchionne, depicting the Virgin Assumed into Heaven between two angels.

Above the entrance door is an arch that includes the extraordinary Cycle of the Months, a masterpiece of medieval sculpture created by artists from the Po Valley in the first half of the 13th century. This arch features the depiction of all 12 months taking into account the Julian Calendar that made the year begin in the month of March unlike ours, the Gregorian calendar, in which the beginning is in January.

I take this opportunity to tell you a curiosity: do you know what happened between October 4th and October 15th 1582? I’ll explain it to you below!

So… what happened during these days? Absolutely nothing because these days…. Do not exist!

Let me explain further. In Julius Caesar’s time it was calculated that the Earth took 365 days and 6 hours to revolve around the Sun (yes, back in the day, many astronomers had already guessed: it was the Earth revolving around the Sun and not the other way around! I will not elaborate on this topic or we will be here for hours!). It was a very accurate calculation for the times but not perfect: the true duration is in fact 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds.

So the Julian calendar was created made from 365 days with the addition of one day every 4 years for leap year.

In 325 we had the “Council of Nicaea” a revolutionary moment for the Catholic Church. At that time, there were already existing “fixed feasts” such as Christmas but also “movable” feasts such as Easter. This is celebrated on the first full moon Sunday after the spring equinox which, in 325, coincided with March 21.

As the centuries passed, however, it was realized that the spring equinox no longer fell on March 21! The 11 minutes and 15 seconds of actual difference in fact had led to a major deviation until Pope Gregory XIII decided to intervene since the gap was now ten days.

In fact, in 1582, to correct this “miscalculation,” they went directly from October 4 to October 15 by directly eliminating these days!

 The Gregorian calendar was then instituted in which, after complicated calculations, it was decided that every 100 years the leap year would be a normal year (1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years while 2000 was and the series would repeat itself in the same way in the next 400 years)!

Think what a misfortune to celebrate the birthday in those days erased from history 😬 !

Entrance to the church is free. The church is open daily from 8:00 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 18:30.

Two legends are linked to this column. The first, more imaginative, says that the columns of the church were as many as the monks who participated in the construction of the colonnade. One of them, however, was intentionally made crooked, as a tribute to one of the monks, who was hunchbacked. This “imperfect” column would represent his figure and his singular condition.

 

Another legend says that, at the time of construction, the apse was so perfectly made that it approached divine perfection. Since it was believed that perfection belonged only to God, it was decided to make the work more human by inserting a deliberately crooked column, to “balance” the perfection of the apse with an imperfect element.

Let’s continue and reach the Medici Fortress!

Andiamo 🇮🇹 !

H. Medici Fortress

The Medici Fortress of Arezzo, located in the heart of the Prato Park, represents one of the most important examples of Renaissance military architecture in Tuscany. The origins of the fortress date back to the medieval period, when the area was already used as a strategic point for the control of the surrounding territory.

However, the current structure was built between 1538 and 1560 by order of Cosimo I de’ Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. Its construction was part of Cosimo’s strategy to strengthen the Medici control over Arezzo and the entire region.

The fortress was designed to withstand attacks from the then rapidly evolving artillery.

As time passed and war technology advanced, the fortress gradually lost its defensive function. During the 19th century, under the rule of the Lorraine family, the structure was partially dismantled and subsequently abandoned.

The star-shaped plan, typical of Renaissance fortifications, includes five angled bastions designed to optimize defense. Each bastion is named after important figures or Medici symbols. The structure was built using Arezzo stone.

Beneath the fortress there is an intricate system of walkways and warehouses, used for strategic and logistical purposes.

The fortress is open from Monday to Friday from 11am to 6pm and on weekends from 10am to 6pm. The entrance ticket costs €5.

Now we head to the Roman amphitheatre!

let's go 🇮🇹 !

I. Roman Amphitheatre

This structure, built between the end of the 1st century and the first half of the 2nd century AD, reflects the Roman influence on the city, already heir of the Etruscan civilization. The amphitheater was designed to host gladiatorial shows and public games with a capacity of up to 10,000 spectators.

The amphitheater was located in the southern area of Arezzo, at the foot of the hills that today host the heart of the historic center. Archaeological excavations began in 1914, but were interrupted due to the First World War and resumed only in 1926. Only in the 1950s, after the end of the Second World War, the amphitheater was completely brought to light and restored, becoming an important cultural site.

The central arena was surrounded by a massive wall. Over the centuries, some of the original material was reused to construct buildings, including the Monastery of San Bernardo, built in the 16th century and now home to the Gaio Cilnio Mecenate Archaeological Museum.

The Roman amphitheatre is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:30, and on Sunday from 9:00 to 14:00. The ticket to visit both the amphitheatre and the museum costs €9.

The Archaeological Museum, adjacent to the amphitheater, is housed in the Monastery of San Bernardo, dating back to the 14th century. Officially founded in 1936, the museum houses artifacts that tell the story of Arezzo, from its Etruscan foundation to its flourishing in Roman times. Among the most precious treasures are the famous Arezzo sealed earth vases, known in ancient times as Arretina Vasa, appreciated throughout the Roman world for their refinement.

In addition to this collection there are funerary urns, jewels and objects of everyday use, which testify to the importance of Arezzo in the Etruscan Dodecapolis.

The museum is open every day from 9:00 to 18:30. The ticket to visit both the amphitheater and the museum costs 9€.

Our tour has come to an end but there still remains an important topic to address: the typical dishes of the city!

Typical dishes and where to eat them

I believe that visiting a city without trying its typical dishes is a missed opportunity! This is why I want to talk to you about the most famous dishes in the city and our favorite restaurants!

A recipe of medieval origin based on mixed meats, first browned and then cooked with peppers, red wine and lemon juice.

A traditional soup from the Maremma, also loved in Arezzo, made with fresh vegetables, eggs, toasted bread and sometimes enriched with mushrooms.

 

Pork liver seasoned with spices such as wild fennel, bay leaves, salt and pepper, then cooked in oil. Often served with chard.

Slices of toasted bread soaked in a broth made with capers, chicken, spleen and anchovies.

Prepared with unsalted bread, legumes, black cabbage and extra virgin olive oil, particularly tasty if consumed the next day.

A traditional Tuscan dish, born from poor peasant cuisine. The simple ingredients testify to its origins: stale Tuscan bread (without salt), tomatoes, vegetable broth, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. In Arezzo, the traditional recipe calls for the use of onion instead of garlic, adding a distinctive note to the dish.

A classic among first courses, it is characterized by the use of fresh pasta cut wider than tagliatelle but narrower than pappardelle. This is served with rich condiments, including sauces based on goose, duck, rabbit or wild boar, for a robust and authentic flavor.

 

Where to eat all these delicacies?

The range of restaurants and venues is truly incredible in Arezzo. I tested several places and these are my favorites:

Antica Osteria l’Agania: Excellent traditional tavern that offers typical dishes! Click here to get there

Trattoria Cavour 42: Excellent restaurant that offers traditional dishes made with local products! Click here to get there 

Il Covo dei Briganti: Tuscan Cuisine Restaurant! Click here to get there 

Carlo Ice Cream, Chocolate, Coffee: Great ice cream shop Click here to get there

Ristorante Logge Vasari: Excellent Mediterranean cuisine restaurant! Click here to get there

Porcavacca: Traditional tavern ideal for meat lovers! Click here to get there 

Pizzeria del Corso: Great Pizzeria! Click here to get there 

The end?

Unfortunately, we have finished our tour! However, there are several things around Arezzo that you could visit: I’ll leave some tips below!

Florence:

Capital of Tuscany, Florence is a city rich in art, history and culture. Cradle of the Renaissance, it boasts masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, and is famous for its historic center, the Uffizi Gallery and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Gubbio:

Located in Umbria, Gubbio is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Italy. With its narrow streets and squares overlooking breathtaking landscapes, it is famous for the Palazzo dei Consoli, the Roman Theater and the tradition of the Corsa dei Ceri.

Siena:

Known for its medieval architecture and the famous Palio, Siena is one of the most fascinating cities in Tuscany. Its main square, Piazza del Campo, hosts the historic horse race every year, an event that attracts thousands of visitors.

Perugia:

Capital of Umbria, Perugia is a city rich in history and culture. Its University for Foreigners, the medieval center with the famous Fontana Maggiore and the Etruscan walls make Perugia an important cultural center.

Mosaic by Andreina:

It is located in Perugia and represents one of the most important contemporary works of art in the city. Created by Andreina, the mosaic is an example of how modern art merges with local historical tradition.

Lake Trasimeno:

The fourth largest lake in Italy, located in Umbria, is famous for its natural beauty and its islands, such as Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese. The lake offers numerous opportunities for walking, boat trips and relaxation in contact with nature.

Assisi:

Famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi is one of the most sacred places in Italy. The Basilica of St. Francis, with its frescoes by Giotto, is an important spiritual and cultural landmark, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists each year.

All good things must come to an end😬!

First of all, if you enjoyed the tour will be really important for me to have a review on these platforms (also on the platform where you booked, but these platforms that you find below are fundamental).

You can leave a review (no pressure on you for this⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) by clicking on these beautiful buttons!

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I know that it takes time (actually 4 seconds 😬) but for me this part is really important in order to continue this activity 🥰!

If, on the other hand, you had problems, have suggestions on how to improve it, or want to contact me, feel free to write me on WhatsApp by clicking here!

Are you going to visit other cities?

I have prepared different digital guides to enable you to other cities as well. All guides were written in collaboration with locals so that the most authentic stories and advice could be included!

In these digital guides you will find:

  • Itinerary with the highlights of the city (connected with google maps) 📍
  • Historical info, curiosities and funny facts 🤓
  • FOOD TIPS from locals ! Every city has it’s own typical dishes so it’s super important to know about them 😬 Also, thanks to my local friends, you will discover real local restaurants to try them 😋!

I already prepared a special discount for you, you’ll find everything by clicking here!

Again, if need some support or need any extra info, feel free to write me on WhatsApp by clicking here!

Greetings from your Walking Cap!

Matteo