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The colours of Tuscany, from Arezzo to SansepolcroArezzo is set in the geographic junction between three rivers - the Arno, Tiber and Chiana. The city is dominated by the warm colour ochre of the sandstone, also called "hard sandstone of Aretini" (Arezzo's citizens), used to build most of the local monuments. It's a fascinating city with lots of interesting attractions (for a detailed description, have a look at our guide section). Our itinerary starts from here, inviting you all to take your car and enjoy an unforgettable trip around this lovely region. Once out of Arezzo and the Val d'Arno, there is a pleasant alternative route along secondary streets, going over the green hills at the foot of Alpe di Poti - take that one towards Anghiari, reaching the Val Tiberina side. Little by little you will realize you're in a special part of Tuscany, among the regions of Romagna, Marche and Umbria: a very important cultural, culinary and linguistic crossroads of central Italy. If you understand a bit of Italian or simply can distinguish the shades of accents, you will notice the differences, along with a different landscape and a huge presence of oaks and chestnuts. After following the National Road SS 71 until Ponte della Chiassa, the provincial road towards Anghiari goes over the hill of Scheggia Pass and reaches the fork that goes rightwards to the Parish Church of St Maria alla Sovara (26 Km - 16 miles). The Romanesque Church is just splendid, with perfectly preserved lines, and the beautiful bell-tower houses a dense population of pigeons ;-). Taking a short slope nearby the church you will be able to admire the pretty hamlet of Anghiari (3 Km - 1.8 miles), built up all along a spur, overlooking the plain of the river Tevere. The village stands around an old abbey dating back to the XII century: the historical centre offers great views, narrow and steep alleys, as well as the possibility to visit the National Museum of Palazzo Taglieschi (open Tuesday to Saturday, from 8.30 am to 7 pm – Sunday and bank holidays, from 9 am to 1.30 pm). This stunning Museum has preserved - among statues, paintings, furnishing, and majolicas belonging to the noble family Della Robbia - a ligneous Virgin, painted by Jacopo della Quercia, that is infinitely sweet and beautiful. In front of the noble palazzo's façade, all the history and military art lovers would be able to visit the lovely exhibition dedicated to the battle of Anghiari (in which the Florentines beat the Milanese troops, in 1440). You will enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the village, overlooking the valley of Sansepolcro, from the lovely garden and terrace of Giardini del Vicario's wine bar, made into a wide stretch within XVI-century walls. Coming out from Anghiari, if you take a short detour you can reach the pretty mediaeval hamlet of Citerna - with lovely ancient alleys – then, after a while, Monterchi. There you will be able to have a break into the small piazza at the foot of the local castle, but above all you will have the chance to visit one of the finest monument of the Tuscan Renaissance: the fresco of Madonna del Parto, by Piero della Francesca (1455). It has been recently restored and it is exhibited into the a beautiful hall set up by the commune, located just outside the village's boundary walls. Coming back to Anghiari, leaving the stunning Piero della Francesca's monument on you back, youn can carry on towards the native town of another big of the Renaissance art. Just above ht e artificial basin of Montedoglio lake, the street goes halfway up the hill to Caprese Michelangelo, where, in 1475, was born Michelangelo Buonarroti. A steep slope goes inside the castle's walls, towards the Casa del Podestà, which houses some good copies of Michelangelo's most important oeuvres along with some scupltures, perfect place for a quiet break. A short slope towards the lake and the viaduct goes to bridge above the river Tevere, through which you will access Pieve Santo Stefano, almost totally modern-looking, because of the numerous distructions due to the closeness to Linea Gotica. The village offers a marvellous church with a terracotta lagging representing the Assumption and the Saints, made by Andrea della Robbia (1514). Carrying on with the journey eastwards, over the river Tevere, a new series of mountains goes up to the region of Marche. A tortuous National Road (SS 258) – following an ancient Roman path – leads you to Badia Tebalda (11,5 Km - 7.14 miles). This charming village has preserved a few ruins of a castle and the parish church of St Michele Arcangelo. The area that we are visiting is famous for a rare bovine species - the so-called "razza Chianina" - appreciated all around the world thanks to the popular "Bistecca alla Fiorentina". The locals are particularly proud of this unique kind of gastronomical speciality, and they generously share precious tips about recipes. In Sestino you can definitely find the best meat of the whole region, but the village has surely more than this to offer. The journey throughout the local culture and tradition, helps you in coming across the local heritage with all its roots in the ancient Roman history. One of the main examples of this history is the enchanting temple dedicated to the emperor Augustus: an astonishing surrounding of statues and busts is the unique theatre for the lucky visitors of Antiquarium Comunale in Sestino. On top of the hill, there is the ancient St Pancrazio Abbey that keeps, under the hieratic XIV-century image of Christ, a silent and spectacular Romanesque crypt. Once back at the foot of the Tuscan side of the mountain, Sansepolcro (46,5 Km - 29 miles) is a picturesque break-point. The town offers various tourist attractions: from the museum that homes the splendid Piero della Francesca' s works of art (the artist was in fact born in Sanse), to the scenic Duomo's naves. A non-famous museum dedicated to the history of preparation of medicinal herbs, represents the most interesting news within the village's cultural panorama. Among noble halls, alembics and treatises about the herbs' virtues, you will be able to get a clear picture of the oldest traditional medicine. In September, the locals take part into the Palio della Balestra, traditional competition between local crossbowmen and the able ones from Gubbio (where there is the same palio in May). Into the large piazza Torre di Berta, crowded by dozens of walk-ons in mediaeval costumes and the audience, the only sound you will hear is the heavy thud of the quarrels into the wooden target. It will be one of the most suggestive trip of your life... just come and see! PS: the itinerary's lenght is about 158 Km (around 98 miles) You might also be interested in reading about the following topics... |
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