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ArezzoArezzo is an extraordinary ancient city (as old as Ninive or Assur, older than Uxmal, Tenochtitlàn or Alexandria of Egypt) a small treasure with an ancient soul, that put together history, culture, art and "live-well" philosophy. The longevity of Arezzo is surely related to the particular geographical position: it connects the Po Valley with the peninsular Italy, and the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas. Arezzo, born as Etruscan city in the IV century BC, has preserved this imprint throughout the ages: everything is within reach, comfortably reachable in a few minutes. You should linger for a while among the lovely alleys to catch the spirit of this wonderful place, grown as a free medieval "commune", so flourish to home one of the first European universities. In order to not miss the magic details, you should walk looking attentively around the courtyards, the old buildings, the balustrades in wrought, the torch fixtures... Coming from the Northern Gate, among the ancient walls that surround the city, you'll find the astonishing cathedral of St Donato, with the famous fresco representing Marie Madeleine made by Piero della Francesca, in 1460, and the polychrome stained glass windows by Marcillat. Continuing towards the Church of St Domenico (that preserves the splendid Cross, by Cimabue), a few metres away there's the house of Giorgio Vasari (notable representative of the Cinquecento art), totally and beautifully frescoed. In the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art are also admirable marvellous works of art, painted between the XIII and XIX centuries. At a few steps you couldn't miss:
Going back to the Cathedral, towards the Medicean Meadow and Fortress, you'll enjoy a breathtaking panorama: above the city and the surrounding hills. From there you can go down to via dei Pileati, to reach Palazzo Pretorio, whose façade is extremely rich in heraldic escutcheons, ; the Loggias of Vasari; the remains of Palazzo del Capitano and Piazza Grande: an incredible but harmonic mix of styles and views. In Piazza Grande, every first Sunday of the month, both tourist and locals enjoy the most ancient Antique Trade Fair in Italy. Two times a year there's the spectacular medieval tournament, called "Giostra del Saraceno": a very very ancient tradition, born as phisical military training. It recalls the secular fight between Christians and Muslims. The tournament has had an important social function for the local community. There was a competition in occasions, like the visit of big personalities (princes, sovereigns, and so on...) or to celebrate anniversaries, weddings, Carnival, etc...etc... Other towns in the area: Asciano, Badia a Ruoti, Badia Agnano, Bagni di Lucca, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Bucine, Campo nell'Elba, Camucia di Cortona, Carrara, Casciana Terme, Casole d'Elsa, Castelfiorentino, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castiglion Fiorentino, Castiglioncello, Certaldo, Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Chiusi, Civitella della Chiana, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Cortona, Empoli, Fabbrica di Peccioli, Figline Valdarno, Florence, Foiano della Chiana, Forte dei Marmi, Gaiole in Chianti, Gambassi Terme, Ghizzano, Grassina, Greve in Chianti, Grosseto, Iesa Palazzo, Impruneta, Lamporecchio, Laterina , Livorno, Loro Ciuffenna, Lucca, Lucignano, Marciano della Chiana, Marina di Grosseto, Empoli, Masotti, Massa, Moggiona, Molazzana, Monsummano Terme, Montaione, Montalcino, Monte San Savino, Montecatini-Terme, Montefollonico, Montelopio, Montepulciano, Monterchi, Monteriggioni, Montevarchi, Montisi, Nievole, Panzano in Chianti, Pian di Sco', Pienza, Pietrasanta, Pieve Fosciana, Pisa, Pistoia, Pitigliano, Poggibonsi, Pontassieve, Poppi, Porciano di Lamporecchio, Porciano di Stia, Pozzo della Chiana, Prato, Radda in Chianti, Radicofani, Rapolano Terme, Reggello, Rignano sull'Arno, Rigomagno, Riparbella, Rosignano Solvay, San Baronto, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, San Gimignano, San Giuliano Terme, San Miniato, San Quirico d'Orcia, Sarteano, Saturnia, Scandicci, Segromigno in Monte, Seravezza, Serre di Rapolano, Sieci, Siena, Sinalunga, Sorano, Staggia Senese, Subbiano, Tirrenia, Torre del Lago Puccini, Torrita di Siena, Trequanda, Vagliagli, Viareggio, Vinci, VolterraYou might also be interested in reading about the following Arezzo topics:
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