CITY AND ART

AREZZO

A hidden jewel in the Tuscan landscape, not yet overwhelmed by tourists, this town has been nicked named by many as an outdoor museum - every corner exhibits Italy’s glorious past, of which Arezzo is part.

Arezzo is set on a steep hill rising from the floodplain of the Arno.

At the top of the town you can find the impressive Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Medici Fortress (Fortezza Medicea), from here the main streets branch off towards the lower part. The upper part of the town maintains its medieval appearance despite the addition of later buildings.

Arezzo’s heart is the Piazza Grande, with its crenellated towers and fourteenth century wooden balconies, Romanesque apse, sixteenth century fountain, and Vasari Palazzo and Loggias. The Piazza has a mixture of contrasting styles, everything is metered and beautiful, all in perfect harmony. If you venture into the surrounding streets you will discover the artisans of Arezzo, a world of humanity that the industrialisation has not destroyed.

Very close to the Piazza Grande there is the Basilica of San Francesco (13th - 14th Century), in Tuscan-Gothic style. Only the lower part of the projected façade, which is covered in sculpted stone, was ever completed. The interior has a single nave: the main attraction is the ‘History of the True Cross Fresco’ (1453-1464) by Piero della Francesca in the Bacci Chapel. Under the church is another Basilica (Basilica inferiore) with a nave and two aisles, today this is used for art exhibitions.

Arezzo is also known as the setting for Roberto Benigni's film ‘Life Is Beautiful’ (La vita è bella, 1997).

CORTONA

Perched at 500 metres above sea level, Cortona dominates the entire Valdichiana, with a view that stretches as far as Monte Amiata.
The town is entirely surrounded by fortifications, that constitute an interesting archaeological element as well as one of its most beautiful aspects. Most of the buildings and streets within the city date from Medieval times – the Basilica of Santa Margherita and the Celle Franciscan sanctuary placed above the city make it natural for any tourist to conduct their visit ‘downwards’ into Cortona.
The only horizontally-running street in Cortona is Ruga Piana, now called Via Nazionale, and leads directly to Piazza della Repubblica dominated by the Medieval Palazzo Comunale, formerly Palazzo Casali, once the home of this aristocratic family and that now houses the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca. The museum houses an interesting collection of Etruscan and Roman artefacts.

SHOPPING ED ATTIVITA’

TRATTORIAS

Many trattorias serve typical Tuscan cuisine, they are not too expensive and provide a very warm welcome.
Most of the trattorias have a garden, you can eat and drink here in warm weather.
Here are some useful numbers of just a selection of Trattorias: