Arezzo

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Introducing Arezzo

Bombed back to the Renaissance Age during WWII, Arezzo may not be a Tuscan centrefold, but the surviving parts of the historic centre are worthy competition for any destination in the region: the sloping Piazza Grande, the Pieve di Santa Maria and the five-star frescoes by Piero della Francesca in the Chiesa di San Francesco. The setting for much of Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning film La vita è bella (Life Is Beautiful), it’s well worth a visit, easily accomplished as a day trip from Florence.

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Arezzo, in its time an important Etruscan town, was later absorbed into the Roman Empire. A free republic as early as the 10th century, it supported the Ghibelline cause in the violent battles between pope and emperor and was eventually subjugated by Florence in 1384.

It’s also the birthplace of the Renaissance poet Petrarch, who popularised the sonnet format, penning his verses in both Latin and Italian, and Giorgio Vasari, the prolific painter and architect who contributed so much to Renaissance Florence.

Arezzo stages a huge, 500-exhibitor antiques fair in Piazza Grande on the first weekend of every month.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. lucapal avatar
    RE: Vatican/St Peters Cathedral

    by lucapal 22 May 2012

    Glad you enjoyed it! There are so many nice small towns in Tuscany...though Bologna is also a very interesting destination. If you wan…
  2. mike9 avatar
    RE: 4 days in Tuscany

    by mike9 09 May 2012

    Just to add to lucapal, firstly cars are fine for getting about in but can be difficult in towns (narrow one way streets, difficult parking,…
  3. mike9 avatar
    RE: Rome in 13 Days...

    by mike9 01 May 2012

    Agree with #1 - there are dozens of smaller interesting places in Tuscany and Umbria. The whole area round Pienza, San Quirico, Montepulcian…

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