Arezzo in Tuscany:The City of Vasari and Piero della Francesca

Tuscany » Destinations » Arezzo

Arezzo is one of the wealthiest cities in Tuscany. Located in south-eastern Tuscany, it's set on top of a hill in the middle of four valleys: Val Tiberina, Casentino, Valdarno and Valdichiana.

It has ancient origins as proved by the stone tools and the so-called Man of the Elm dating back to paleolithic era. The Etruscan Arretium was founded around 9th century B.C. and was one of the most important Tuscan cities. Arezzo has always played an important role in Tuscany over the centuries due to its strategic position along the Via Cassia.

Even though the Medieval center has been destroyed during the World War II, Arezzo has plenty of monuments, churches and museums worth to be visited. The Church of San Francesco is propabily the most famous of Arezzo. It displayes the incredible Renaissance frescoes cycle by Piero della Francesca depicting the Legend of the true Cross. And then the Medicean Fortress, the Roman Amphitheater and the Church of San Francesco with the wooden Crucifix by Cimabue.

Arezzo certainly deserve to be visited. It has so much to offer as well as its province spotted with towns, villages and castles that had an important role in the history of Tuscany. Cortona, Anghiari, San Sepolcro, Poppi are just some of the most beautiful cities in the province of Arezzo.