Arezzo is an old city in central Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located in Tuscany. No visitor should miss the 13th century Piazza Grande, which contains the Palace of the Fraternity of the Lay Brothers with its distinctive bell tower, a 15th century public fountain, and the Pieve de S. Maria with its bell tower of ‘one hundred holes’, as well as the reliquary of St. Donato dating from 1346. Outside the square another impressive sight is the 2nd century Roman amphitheatre with its adjacent archeological museum. Also worth a visit is the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art with its huge collection.
An interesting walking tour follows the Corso Italia, Arezzo’s main street since medieval times. It is rich in exclusive boutiques, elegant palaces,
Arezzo boasts many illustrious native citizens. Among them are Vasari, the biographer of the Italian painters; Guittone, one of the first Italian poets to write in the Italian vernacular; Guido of Arezzo; one of the greatest Italian poets and Dante’s contemporary, Petrarca; Pietro Aretino, friend of Tizian and perhaps the most famous Renaissance man of letters (and a writer of licentious poetry in his spare time); and, Michelangelo, who was born in a castle near Arezzo.
Arezzo is famous for its gold shops and is also renowned for its antique furniture dealers.
