Holiday in Arezzo

Nature and culture

The province of Arezzo has many nature parks, each of which is well worth a visit. One of the most famous is the Val di Chiana, south of Arezzo. This valley lies between two other valleys, the Val d'Orcia and the Val Tiberina. The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Wall paintings from that period have been found in the caves of Monte Cetona. The valley is named after the Chiana River and connects the provinces of Arezzo and Siena. The current shape of the valley is the result of the draining of marshland, which the Romans began. Leonardo da Vinci At the beginning of the 16th century, he drew a map of the area showing that a large lake ran through the valley from north to south at that time. There are still two remnants of that large lake: Lago di Chiusi and a very small lake in Montepulciano (both in the province of Siena).

Lake Chiusi / Photo: visitchiusi.it

The cultural attraction of the province of Arezzo is undoubtedly the city. CortonaIt is situated on a hillside, and the buildings here are made of sandstone. Wooden balconies mark the medieval streets and squares. Cortona is an originally Etruscan city, founded on one of the earliest inhabited hills of the province. With its winding streets, it is comparable to cities such as Assisi and Volterra.

Cortona is located not far from the border between Tuscany and Umbria. To the west lies the Val di Chiana valley with the inactive volcano Monte Amiata (1738 meters). In the 1990s, American writer Frances Mayes bought an old villa in Cortona and completely renovated it. She wrote the book Under the Tuscan Sun (1996) about it. Thanks to this bestseller, which has since been made into a film, Cortona became instantly famous with the general public.

Cortona / Photo via Pixabay

Sansepolcro is best known for its cathedral. An art collection featuring works by Bartolomeo della Gatta and Perugino can be seen in the Romanesque-Gothic church. Also in bibbiena There are special churches to visit, including the church and monastery of Santuario di Santa Maria del Sasso. San Giovanni Val d' Arno It has a beautiful town hall, the Palazzo d'Arnolfo. The town hall houses the Museo delle Terre Nuove. The facade of the town hall is adorned with 250 coats of arms belonging to the city's most prominent families.

The village too Lucignano is one for the list. It is a small place but is also known as the pearl of the Val di Chiana It is named and belongs to the 'borghi piu belli d'Italia' (most beautiful villages of Italy). The village is situated on a hill and is completely walled; the medieval character of the village has been beautifully preserved. Lucignano has two attractions; the first is L'Arbero della Vita (The Tree of Life), which can be admired in the Museo Comunale (Municipal Museum). This Tree of Life, also called the Golden Tree or Tree of Love, is a Gothic religious ornament created in the 15th century. It is, in fact, the only altar in the world in the shape of a tree. The tree is 2,60 meters tall and has six branches on each side decorated with grape leaves, coral, crystals, enamel, and miniatures. If you happen to be in the area during the last two Sundays of May, you can also witness the Maggiolata Lucignanese. This is a kind of flower parade where the district with the most beautiful floats wins. The festivities are not over yet, however, as the Battaglia dei Fiori – the Battle of the Flowers – takes place afterwards, during which the flowers are taken from the floats and thrown at the opponents.

Shopping enthusiasts can also indulge themselves in the province of Arezzo. In Arezzo itself, countless jewelers can be found selling the most beautiful jewelry. In addition, there is the Outlet Village in Val di Chiana, a paradise for the avid shopper. Especially in July, because that is the 'sconto' period, so even more discounts!

Culinary facts in Arezzo, Tuscany

The province of Arezzo boasts diverse culinary specialties. In Valdarno, for example, one eats stufato alla Sangiovannese, a dish of slow-cooked meat with various herbs. Arrosto girato is also a classic: fried chicken with tomato sauce. The Val di Chiana is home to the famous Chianina beef (see also our culinary blogIts meat is frequently served in various dishes, accompanied by a good glass of red wine from the vineyards near Cortona (more about wines from Cortona).

The local cuisine of the Tiber Valley consists of bring them (thick spaghetti made from wheat flour and water), game, truffles, porcini mushrooms, and sloe. Wine and oil, zolfini beans, chestnut flour from Pratomagno, and ham from the mountains are some of the many products for sale in Valdarno.

Walking and cycling

The valleys of Arezzo are particularly popular for trekking. This sustainable form of tourism allows visitors to discover lesser-known places and monuments in the area. Those looking for enjoyable routes can turn to the Italian Alpine Club of ArezzoThey have various maps available. A pleasant walking route leads through the Valle di Chio, or the Chio Valley. From La Strada-Santa Cristina, you walk past Il Toppo, Pieve di Chio, Ferioli, and Colle Secco back to the starting point. Along the way, you will discover various small towns that have been inhabited for over 3000 years. The route also passes fields full of sunflowers, vineyards, and olive trees. View a number of others hiking destinations in Tuscany.

Cycling enthusiasts will find a great route in Arezzo; the cycling route par excellence is the Reclamation PathThis cycle path, in perfect condition, leads through the Val di Chiana along the Canale Maestro della Chiana, through beautiful landscapes, past ancient Etruscan finds and typical Tuscan farmhouses. The route along the Sentiero della Bonifica is approximately 62 kilometers long. The elevation difference is a maximum of twenty meters, making it suitable for novice cyclists as well. The route starts at Ponti d'Arezzo and heads south past Chiari, Chiusi, and Foiano della Chiana. From Chiusi, cyclists can continue cycling towards Lake Montepulciano. View the route. You can find more cycling destinations on our website: Cycling and mountain biking in Tuscany.

Reclamation Path

Wellness in Arezzo

The province of Arezzo boasts several thermal springs with wellness facilities. One of the best known is Stia, a thermal park. The water from this spring has healing properties. Admission to the park is free.

Events in Arezzo

One of the biggest events in the province of Arezzo is the Joust of the Archidado in Cortona. Every year around Pentecost, a procession of people in medieval costumes winds through the historic center. During the festival, the population commemorates the marriage of Francesco Casali, Lord of Cortona, to Antonia Salimbeni of Siena in 1397. During the so-called Medieval Week, there are numerous activities, including a crossbow competition between the five districts of the city and a grand closing dinner.

Arezzo, the city

Due to its rich history, Arezzo has many sights. A selection of attractions in the fields of culture, nature, and events.

The Church of San Francesco is best known for the frescoes of Piero della FrancescaThis famous Renaissance artist was born in Sansepolcro, near Arezzo. He was not only an artist but also a mathematician, and this is reflected in his use of perspective and depth. Piero della Francesca painted a series of frescoes in this church called the 'Legend of the True Cross'. He created these commissioned by Giovanni Bacci between 1452 and 1466. The frescoes depict a 13th-century text about the Holy Cross of Christ. The cathedral is also worth a visit. This Duomo It was built in the Gothic style and designed by Margaritone. Construction lasted several centuries, from 1278 to 1510. Piero della Francesco painted the fresco La Maddalena here in 1465. The cathedral features stained glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat, a French monk who died in Arezzo.

The oldest church in Arezzo is the Santa Maria della Pieve, built in Romanesque style. The church is dedicated to Mary and to the patron saint of Arezzo, Donatus. The church tower is about 60 meters high. Due to the many openings, it is also known as the 'tower with a hundred holes'.

Vasari House, is the birthplace of painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. A small museum is now housed there. Some of his works and other objects from Vasari's life can be admired here.

Those wishing to escape the city for a while can visit the Parco di Lignano. The park is located on Mount Lignano (835 meters) near Rigutino (just south of Arezzo). It is equipped with wooden tables under the trees and grills for a barbecue or picnic.

Just like Cortona, Arezzo has a medieval festival. On the last Sunday of June and the first Sunday of September, the Saracen Joust takes place, or the Joust of the Saracen held, in which the various neighborhoods of the city compete against each other. In honor of this occasion, the population dresses in medieval costumes.

Photo via www.giostradelsaracinoarezzo.it

Finally, something not to be missed: the antique market takes place in the center of Arezzo every first Sunday of the month. There is all sorts of things for sale and a cozy atmosphere—a must-see!