Arezzo

1 – Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande, also known as Piazza Vasari, is the heart of Arezzo. Its most notable feature is its trapezoidal form and its slope that follows the lay of the land. The square is fronted by buildings from different eras, from the medieval to the Baroque. In June and September, it is the venue for the Giostra del Saracino, or Saracen Joust, a historic re-enactment that recalls the battles of the medieval knights against the Arab raiders.

2 – The Legend of the True Cross

In Piazza San Francesco, in the basilica of the same name (in actuality, a small church in stone and brick), you’ll find the Bacci Chapel with its extraordinary frescoes by Piero della Francesca narrating the Legend of the True Cross. Absolutely not to be missed: the fresco cycle is justly considered one of the absolute masterpieces of Italian art.

3 – Antiques Fair

Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, the historic centre of Arezzo fills with the vendors’ stalls of Italy’s finest – and oldest – antiques fair! From antiques to modern classics, upwards of 500 exhibitors offer the public a vast array of furniture, paintings and antique books – but also toys, timepieces, porcelain and much more. Are you ready for a day spent treasure hunting?

4 – Cimabue’s Arezzo Crucifix

The Basilica of San Domenico is certainly amongst Arezzo’s top ten destinations, both for the Aretine School frescoes adorning its walls and for one of the undisputed masterpieces of the European Duecento: the Crucifix by Cimabue. This extraordinary work, dated to between 1265 and 1268, is the earliest of the master’s still-extant works. Don’t miss it!

5 – “Life is beautiful” in Arezzo

The touching scenes of Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning film La vita è bella were shot in and around Arezzo. A visit to the locations is an excellent way to discover the city’s historic centre, setting out from Piazza Grande with its Vasari Loggia and going on to the Cathedral of Santi Pietro e Donato before wrapping up with ice cream at Caffè Costanti.