The 6 most beautiful attractions to see in Arezzo

Arezzo, a province of Tuscany known for being the birthplace of the writer Petrarca, hides incredible places that are absolutely worth a visit. A mix of history, art and architecture, which come together to offer an interesting panorama to all visitors. Anyone who decides to spend some time near the Arezzo Hills, cannot miss dedicating a few days to discovering the city of Arezzo. Armed with the right itinerary, it is possible to visit squares, fortresses and unique monuments, which tell the story of the place and its cultural heritage.

Together we will discover 6 of the most beautiful attractions of Arezzo, six must-see points of the city. In this way, it will be possible to truly know the roots of the Aretini and their culture.

1) Big Square

Piazza Grande is the true heart of Arezzo, the point from which the most interesting streets of the city branch off. It is also known as “ Piazza Vasari ”, in honor of the architect who took care of the works of Palazzo delle Logge – one of the most important buildings in the square. Its unusual shape has made it famous throughout Tuscany , transforming it into a place of great tourist interest. It maintains a trapezoidal shape, built along a not too steep slope. Historic buildings and incredible monuments completely surround it, making it difficult to decide where to rest your gaze.

2) St. Mary of the Pieve

Right in Piazza Grande, immersed in the unique atmosphere of the city center, is the Basilica of Santa Maria della Pieve . With its façade in full Romanesque style, the Church has earned the title of “Arezzo’s main attraction”, with interiors cared for down to the smallest details. In fact, it hides the Polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti, a set of three works: the Madonna with Child , the Annunciation and the Assumption and 12 Saints .

3) Basilica of San Francesco

The Basilica of San Francesco , located in Piazza San Francesco , is known in the city of Arezzo for the cycle of paintings inside it. Piero della Francesca , an important Italian painter and artist, painted in the Basilica “ The Legend of the True Cross ”, a series of paintings that tell the story of the choice of wood used to build Jesus ’ cross .

4) Cathedral of San Donato

A unique Cathedral , characterized by the presence of wonderful stained glass windows created by Guillaume de Marcillat . The Cathedral of San Donato is a historic building, whose construction began in 1278, and continued until 1500. The complex has truly considerable dimensions, and the interior is illuminated by stained glass windows that tell the story of the patron saints Peter and Donato .

5) Museum of the Works of the Cathedral

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Arezzo (Mudas) is located inside the Bishop's Palace . As the name suggests, the rooms of the Museum revolve around the religious history of Arezzo, showing visitors beautiful paintings and decorated tapestries. Among the various works, the fresco of " San Girolamo Penitente " and the particular sacred vestment entitled " Pace di Siena " are worth mentioning.

6) Giorgio Vasari House Museum

The architect, artist and painter Giorgio Vasari has always been a source of great pride for the people of Arezzo. For this reason, his home has been transformed into a unique museum, entirely open to visitors. Since 1911, the hand-decorated rooms of Vasari's house have been open to the public, who can move between the rooms admiring the original frescoes. Three "jewel-rooms" are absolutely unmissable: the Chamber of the Muses , the Chamber of Fame and the Arts and the Salone del Camino .