‘Life Is Beautiful’ in Arezzo

dianski — 2007-04-17T08:18:25Z

Whether or not you are considering a visit to the Piero della Francesca Exhibition in Arezzo, which runs until the end of July, you still won’t escape his influence! But Arezzo is home to many other artists, poets, scholars and architecture of breath-taking beauty and splendour reminiscent of a golden age. There is plenty to see in this beautiful medieval town. Internationally famous for its gold production, jewellery and leather goods, Arezzo nestles like a jewel in the Valdichiana and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

You will be charmed by the centre where there is much to discover in terms of historical and artistic interest and all main attractions can easily be reached on foot within a few minutes of the train station. There are so many highlights but among the most important are...

The Archaeological Museum, which is located by turning left at Via Margaritone and set among the ruins of a Roman Amphitheatre dating back to 2^nd century BC and costing only € 4 for entrance is well worth a visit.

The stunning 9^th-11^th century Romanesque church, Santa Maria della Pieve houses the sacred skull of San Donato, the patron saint of Arezzo, the eye catching medieval bas-relief Adoration of the Magi and panelled work by the Sienese artist Pietro Lorenzetti (1280-1340). The 13^th century Palazzo Pretorio along Corso Italia displays coats of arms belonging to historically important Aretini families.

Located off Via Cavour, which leads out into Piazza San Francesco is the church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi (Chiesa San Francesco) in which you can marvel at the beautifully restored Legend of the True Cross, symbolically returned to Jerusalem depicted as Arezzo and hailed as one of the most important early Renaissance masterpieces by Piero della Francesca. These can be accessed behind the altar and huge hanging crucifix. Tickets are € 6 and can be purchased at the ticket office to the right of the church.

The main town square, Piazza Grande, is framed by antique/curios shops and hosts Italy’s largest Antiques Fair (Fiera Antiquariato) held on the first Sunday of every month and famed as one of the main locations of the Oscar winning film ‘Life Is Beautiful’ (La Vita é Bella) directed by Roberto Benigni. Visit the house on Via XX Settembre inhabited by Giorgio Vasari, famed artist, writer, student of Michelangelo and designer of The Loggia which frames one side of Piazza Grande. Another of Arezzo’s famous sons, Renaissance poet Petrarca (Petrarch) was born nearby in 1304.

Arezzo’s cathedral (Duomo) is situated at the height of the medieval centre adjacent to a huge park which boasts fantastic views of the surrounding valley. Home to Piero della Francesca’s fresco of Mary Magdalene the interior contains holy relics of San Donato and a spectacularly beautiful altar which locals flock to for daily mass.

The Giostra Saraceno is a hugely popular medieval joust, held bi-annually on the second last Saturday of June and first Sunday of September. Much pageantry precedes the joust in which an authentic atmosphere transports you back in time to a medieval spirit of competition in which riders on horseback charge with lances challenged in the direction of a huge wooden Saracen. Tickets range from € 40 for seats or 5 for standing but to watch the procession is free.

Arezzo is the ideal place to consider a day trip if you are staying in Cortona/Camucia or Castiglion Fiorentino as it is only a quarter of an hour by train. Apart from its rich cultural heritage, it is also the perfect location to indulge in a shopping spree, enjoying the many small designer boutiques, jewellery shops as well as pausing to refresh in one of the town’s trendy bars or restaurants.

General

‘Life Is Beautiful’ in Arezzo

Opening of Piero della Francesca Exhibition