Discover Arezzo: Culture, Markets and Trails

In Arezzo, Piazza Grande, the Museo di Casa Vasari and the Fortezza Medicea represent different historical and cultural points of reference. They are joined by the Sentiero della Bonifica as a cycling and walking route, as well as the Way of Saint Francis, with stages between La Verna, Arezzo, Cortona and Assisi.

Piazza Grande, Vasari and the city's festivals

Piazza Grande is the central square of Arezzo's historic old town. Its trapezoidal shape and pronounced slope give it an unusual spatial character. The Giostra del Saracino has taken place regularly every year on the Lizza of Piazza Grande since its official revival in 1931; it was suspended during the Second World War. The square is therefore one of the places where Arezzo's historic character and its events calendar come together directly.

Another focal point is the Museo di Casa Vasari. It is located in the house that Giorgio Vasari bought in Arezzo in 1541. The museum preserves richly frescoed rooms whose imagery incorporates mythological, biblical and allegorical references. The house also includes an adjoining Italian-style roof garden. It was originally larger and also included vegetable gardens.

The Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo offers another perspective on cultural life. It takes place on the first Sunday of every month and on the preceding Saturday. Antiques, modern collectibles, vintage goods and local handicrafts are offered there. The Fortezza Medicea on San Donato Hill complements the historic cityscape with a 16th-century military fortress. Its star-shaped layout and five bastions are defining features. Today, the fortress serves as a place for walks, art exhibitions and events.

Trails, parks and the landscape around Arezzo

Those wishing to include exercise in their stay will find the 62-kilometre, bidirectional Sentiero della Bonifica “Vittorio Fossombroni” cycling and walking route. It connects Arezzo with Chiusi and passes through landscapes featuring historic water-management structures. The route begins at the Chiusa dei Monaci on the western outskirts of Arezzo. This structure for regulating water flow is already mentioned in documents dating from 1115.

The Cammino delle Celle, part of the Way of Saint Francis, also provides an extensive connection for hikers. On foot, it leads from the Santuario de La Verna to the Basilica di San Francesco in Arezzo, continues to the Eremo delle Celle near Cortona and then proceeds to Assisi. This provides different forms of travel for your planning: shorter activities within the city, a longer cycling and walking route through landscapes shaped by water-management works, and a route with several religiously oriented stages.

Several parks within and on the outskirts of the city complement this selection. Parco Pertini lies just outside the historic old town and has equipped paths for physical activities. The historic park Il Prato is located in the upper part of Arezzo between the cathedral and the Fortezza Medicea. Parco Colle del Pionta combines a nature park with an archaeological site where Arezzo's old cathedral once stood. Parco Villa Severi lies just outside Arezzo amid the surrounding countryside and opposite a historic aristocratic villa.

Getting there and finding your way around

Arezzo can be reached by train from Florence and Rome. Regional trains, Intercity trains and high-speed trains are available. Arezzo railway station has a tactile route from the entrance to the platforms. The raised platforms at tracks 1 to 5 allow many regional trains with low floors to provide direct and safe access. In addition, many museums, churches and cultural venues in Arezzo offer accessible entrances, reserved parking spaces and special transport services for people with disabilities.

Other places in the Arezzo area

For further orientation, these include Chitignano, Caprese Michelangelo, Castel San Niccolò, Chiusi Della Verna, Laterina, Loro Ciuffenna, Lucignano, Pian Di Sco, Pieve Santo Stefano, Poppi, Pratovecchio, Sansepolcro, Sestino, Stia, Castel Focognano, Anghiari, Arezzo, Bucine, Castiglion Fiorentino, Civitella In Val Di Chiana, Monte San Savino, Monterchi, Pergine Valdarno, Subbiano, Castelfranco Di Sopra, Cavriglia, Montebenichi, Montevarchi, San Giovanni Valdarno, Terranuova Bracciolini, Talla, Ortignano Raggiolo, San Clemente In Valle, Marciano Della Chiana, Cortona, Foiano Della Chiana, Bibbiena, Castiglion Fibocchi, Capolona, Montemignaio, Badia Tedalda, Montagnano, Santa Firmina, Toppole, Pierle, Pratieghi, Le Ville, Fasciano, Santa Barbara, Strada, Rigo, Falciano, Sant'Andrea di Sorbello, Centoia I, Corezzo, Duddova, Padonchia, Campoluci, Giovi-Ponte Alla Chiassa, Sodo, Manzi, Palazzuolo, Papiano, Pieve Vecchia, Lonnano, Agazzi, Gricignano, Penna, Pulicciano, Oliveto, Ronzano, Pieve al Toppo, Falcigiano, Cetica, Tregozzano, Pratantico, Fratta-Santa Caterina and Colcellalto.

For the broader travel overview: Tuscany.