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Arezzo Travel Guide

Travel to Arezzo -

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Considering its small size even today, Arezzo's contribution to Western culture and civilisation has been little short of breathtaking. Capital of the province of the same name and located in Tuscany some 80km south-east of Florence Arezzo sits at an altitude of 296m above sea level on a steep hill rising from the floodplain of the River Arno.

The Etruscan Dodecapolis were 12 important cities and Arezzo is thought to have been one of them and the region contains many Etruscan remains. Arezzo wasconquered by the Romans in 311BC, Arretium, as it was, became a military base and was the third largest city in Italy in the Augustan period, well-known in particular for its exported pottery.

In the 4th century, Arezzo became an episcopal seat and later the Roman town was destroyed, only the amphitheater remained. In 1252 the city founded its university, the Studium and then after aintrique and war subjugated to Florentine rule in 1384. Its individual history was submerged in that of Florence's and the city began an economical and cultural decay.

At the end of the 18th century French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Arezzo, the city turning into a base of the resistance against the invaders with the "Viva Maria" movement, gaining the city the role of provincial capital.

In 1860 Arezzo became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

Attractions in Arezzo

Arezzo has many attractions - in the upper part of the town the Duomo, the town hall and the Fortezza Medicea, the Medici Fortress. It is here that the town maintains its medieval character. The Fiera Antiquaria or Arezzo antiques market is held each weekend that includes the first Sunday of each month and is renowned as one of the best in Tuscany.
The Piazza Grande is the most important medieval piazza in the city. Once the main marketplace it is the site of the Giostra del Saracino ("Joust of the Saracen") - see below - and contains a number of important buildings.

Attractions include the Anfiteatro Romano, Basilica di San Francesco - the famous Piero della Francesca frescoes depicting the Legend of the True Cross (1452-66) were executed on the three walls of the Capella Bacci, the main apse of this 14th-century church - Casa di Giorgio Vasari, the Duomo - Arezzo's medieval cathedral, Museo Archeologico, San Domenico Church and the Santa Maria della Pieve.

Arezzo is home to an annual medieval festival called the Joust of the Saracen (Giostra del Saracino). In this, "knights" on horseback representing different areas of the town charge at a wooden target attached to a carving of a Saracen king and score points according to accuracy. It's highly colourful as all the town folk dress-up in medieval costume.