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DISCOVERING
THE Cities
The
tour starts at Piazza San Francesco, the heart of Arezzo, where
you also find the church with the same name. The Church of San
Francesco, from the 13th century, was submitted to several changes
to please the sober canons of the Franciscan Gothic. Inside,
the church holds paintings of extraordinary importance: The
sanctuary features "The Legend of the True Cross"
by Piero della Francesca, the master of the Florentine Renaissance.
The Guasconi chapel, on the right hand-side of the chorus, was
frescoed by Spinello Aretino, while the Tarlati chapel preserves
an "Annunciation with Prophets and Saints" by Neri
di Bicci. Following the street towards the Duomo, you reach
the Church of Santa Maria, superb example of the Romanesque
architecture from the 12th century.
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At the back of the church you find one
of the most suggestive and scenic Italian squares, Piazza Grande,
which is the scene of the "Saracino Joust", Arezzo's
most famous traditional event which is celebrated the first
Sunday in September and is a Medieval tournament. The Duomo
of Arezzo is located on the top of a beautiful stairway from
the 16th century. The Duomo is a magnificent Gothic building
(13th century), with a modern façade from 1914. The splendid
glass windows which make the light enter, as well as several
frescoes, were made by Guillaume de Marcillat, an artist from
the 14th century. The Duomo of Arezzo, a real fortress, also
hosts the "Mary Magdalene" by Piero della Francesca,
paintings by Vasari and the precious majolicas by Andrea della
Robbia which adorn the Soccorso chapel.  If
you walk along Via Madonna Laura you get to the Church of San
Domenico which preserves an inestimable Crucifix by Cimabue
(13th century), painted on wood and placed over the main altar.
Not far away, you are able to visit the "Casa di Vasari"
(Vasari's house) which was built in the 16th century for the
artist from Arezzo. The house features the workshop of the Renaissance
artist and beside you find the Museo Vasariano. If you go back
towards the Piazza San Francesco, you find the Badia, which
is worth a visit. It was built in the 13th century and then
amplified by Vasari in the 16th century and is a holy place
for the Benedectine monks. Near the station you find the Museo
Archeologico Mecenate, enclosed in the Roman amphitheatre from
the 2nd century B.C. The museum houses a collection of Etruscan
and Roman artefacts. |
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