Arezzo itinerary

Perhaps not as famous as Siena or Lucca, but just as beautiful, Arezzo has Etruscan and Roman origins and became well-known due to Roberto Benigni's film Life is Beautiful which was filmed in the city's splendid historical centre.

DISCOVER PIAZZA GRANDE – The city tour starts from Piazza Grande in the heart of the historical centre and one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Surrounded by buildings of different eras, from the Middle Ages to Baroque, and with its distinctive Vasari Loggia, it is quadrilateral in shape with considerable incline.

PETRARCA'S HOUSE – Following the Vasari Loggia leads out of the square to the end of Corso Italia, the historical centre's high street. Full of shops, bars and restaurants, it is the road that leads to the main tourist and cultural attractions. Walking uphill in the direction of the Cathedral, you first come to the house of Francesco Petrarca, one of the fathers of our marvellous Italian language. 

CATHEDRAL – Continuing on, you arrive at the Cathedral, a magnificent sandstone building constructed in Gothic style between 1200 and 1500.

PIAZZA DELLA LIBERTA’ – The Cathedral runs alongside Piazza della Libertà, dominated by the Medieval Palazzo dei Priori, which now acts as Arezzo's Town Hall. Built in 1300, it has a characteristic quadrangular tower and a large loggia.

PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA FRESCOES – Leaving Piazza della Libertà and walking downhill brings you to Piazza San Francesco where the extraordinary Legend of the True Cross frescoes by Piero della Francesca, a highly valuable work, can be admired in St. Francis Basilica.  http://www.pierodellafrancesca-ticketoffice.it

SANTA MARIA DELLA PIEVE – Coming out of St. Francis' Basilica and turning right along elegant Via Cavour, leads back to Corso Italia. One of the most beautiful churches in Tuscany is located on the right-hand side of the street: Santa Maria della Pieve, which Arezzo people simply call “La Pieve”. In Romanesque style, with a wonderful columned façade that includes the extraordinary twelve month cycle, a masterpiece of medieval sculpture, the church features a bell tower called Cento Buche (one hundred holes) due to the numerous double lancet windows that make its structure appear lighter. The church contains some remarkable works of medieval art.

ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM – Located in the southern part of the city, the amphitheatre was built between the end of the first and beginning of the second century AD and could hold up to 8,000 spectators. Despite being abandoned and ransacked, the pit and part of the ambulatories can still be seen.

AREZZO CUISINE - Arezzo boasts numerous good restaurants and here are some ideas. The most refined palates should absolutely try Ristorante Logge Vasari in Piazza Grande, a very charming place beneath the Vasari Loggia. The food is excellent and entirely home-made (even the chocolates). For those in search of something more simple, we recommend going down Via Mazzini, again in the centre, which is a narrow, uphill side street very close to Piazza Grande. Here you can find Antica Osteria l’Agania, where the food is totally Arezzo-style, from the appetizers to dessert, and all at very affordable prices.

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