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Arezzo, Tuscany, Northern Italy photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans –

Top 10 Facts about Arezzo, Italy

Arezzo is a city and commune in Italy and the capital of the province of the same name located in Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 kilometres Southeast of Florence at an elevation of 296 meters above sea level.

Arezzo is an extraordinary and ancient city. It is a small treasure with an ancient soul, where history, culture and art blend together with the classic Tuscan 鈥淟ive- well鈥� philosophy. Arezzo鈥檚 long history is tied to its unique geographical position, a strategic point between the PO valley, the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea and the Tuscan City-states.

Elegant yet unhurried, the city of Arezzo brings together the best of the old and new Tuscany with an easy-going lifestyle and fewer tourists than you鈥檇 expect in a culturally-rich and attractive city.

The charming city of Arezzo is a true travel highlight in Tuscany. Famous as a ceramic and metal city, it fascinates above all with its enchanting old town, which spreads a large portion of medieval flair. Here are the top 10 facts about Arezzo, Italy

1. Arezzo鈥檚 foundation dates from the 9th century BC

The original foundation of the city was Etruscan, Aritim and dates from around the 9th century BC. It quickly became one of the most pivotal centres in the whole of Tuscany, playing an important role over the centuries due to its strategic position along the Roman Via cassia.

Arezzo is an important player in the history of Tuscany. You will find that the area houses many artefacts. Its ancient origins are verified by the stone tools and the so-called Man of the Elm who was discovered here, dating back to the Paleolithic era.

2. It became part of Italy in 1861

Map of unification of Italy, 1815-70 photo by K盲nsterle at Dutch Wikipedia –

Arezzo was known to Romans as Arretium and was noted for its red-clay Arretine pottery. A flourishing commune in the middle ages, it fell to Florence in 1384 and later became part of the grand duchy of Tuscany.

After a short period of French rule during the Napoleonic wars, the rule of the Hasburg grand dukes was restored until Arezzo became part of Italy in 1861. The city was severely damaged in World War II.

3. Arezzo鈥檚 location is vulnerable to earthquakes

Image by Angelo Giordano from

Arezzo鈥檚 city proper is near the high-risk areas for earthquakes but located in a transitional area where the risk for severe earthquakes is much lower than in nearby Umbria and Abruzzo, albeit it is slightly more vulnerable than Florence.

Notable earthquakes are still a very rare phenomenon in the province, with a 4.6 quake 16 miles to its northeast that claimed no lives on 26 November 2001 the exception.

4. It is among the most important gold manufacturing centres worldwide

Image by flaart from

It is one of Tuscany鈥檚 wealthiest cities, as witnessed by the proliferation of Jewelers, goldsmiths and antique shops that wealth comes from being one of the most important centres of gold manufacturing in the world.

Jewellers and goldsmiths create intricate designs; artisans here are known for creating works of art with their Jewelry. They weave fine threads of gold together, threads that are at times finer than a human hair.

5. Arezzo is famous for the fresco of 鈥淪anta Maria Maddalena鈥�

Detail of the facade of the church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Rome photo by Pequod76 –

On a visit to Arezzo, one can admire the cathedral of Arezzo, which began construction in 1278 and finished in 1511. Its fa莽ade was built between 1901-1914. The interior of the cathedral is in Gothic style with beautiful Renaissance stained glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat (a French artist who lived in Arezzo).

Additionally, Arezzo is also famous because of the fresco of 鈥淪anta Maria Maddalena鈥� which is one of the most beautiful figures painted by Piero della Francesca.

6. The city is the birthplace of Poet Francesca Petrarca

Gino Severini in 1913 at the opening night of his exhibition at the Marlborough Gallery, London. photo sourced from

Arezzo is the birthplace of poet Francesca Petrarca and famous architect Giorgio Vasari. Artists such as Massacio, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Luca Signorelli, Andrea Sansovino, Pietro da Cortona all come from Arezzo and its province.

Furthermore, the futurist Gino Severini and Investor Guido Monaco also hail from the city.

7. It  is home to Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande in Arezzo photo by Luca Aless –

The Piazza has always been the heart of the city. It is a great place to relax and have lunch, without the crowds that usually fill the square of tourist destinations. The loggia designed by Vasari-hosted artisan stalls is now home to trattorias and coffee shops.

On the first weekend of every month, Piazza grande becomes the grand setting for an antique fair in Tuscany. It is this gorgeous Piazza where there is much to explore from restaurants, bars and wineries to medieval shops and towers.

8. Arezzo provided the central location  for  filming  鈥淟ife is beautiful鈥�

Sedinta photo “Life is Beautiful” photo by Fly Project –

The city received a lot of attention when actor and director Robert Benigni, who is from the area, filmed his Academy award-winning movie, Life is Beautiful here. The city鈥檚 sloping 鈥淧iazza Grande鈥� got famous worldwide for being the set of the film.

9. The city hosts the largest Antique Fair Market in Italy

Photo by Jezael Melgoza on

It is home to Italy鈥檚 first and the largest ever Antique Fair Market. Starting in 1968 thanks to Ivan Bruschi, an antiquarian from Arezzo, the market takes place in Piazza Grande. The market displays grand exhibits for instance; old books, crockery, antique furniture, modern and vintage objects etc.

10. Arezzo hosts the 鈥淕iostra del Saracino鈥�

Entrance of the Knights at the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, Italy, Sept. 2007 photo by Jan Drewes (www.jandrewes.de) –

The city hosts the medieval historical re-enactment of 鈥淕iostra del Saracino鈥� in Piazza Grande twice a year. This medieval game takes place on the third Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September.

It is an event participated by the four districts of the city divided into different colours.

• Porta Santo Spirito
• Porta Crucifera or Culcitrone
• Porta Sant鈥� Andrea
• Porta del Foro or Porta San Lorentino

This is the re-enactment that excites the city of Arezzo with music and colours.

In addition, there is tons of food and wine, especially the well-known Tuscan meat 鈥淐hianina鈥�.