The city of Arezzo is located in the junction between the three valleys of Casentino, Valdarno Superiore and Val di Chiana and it has always been a fundamental crossroad for the wayfarers on the north-south axes and in the direction towards Val Tiberina in the east. The traces of mankind and its settlements go back to antiquity, in fact the so called “Uomo dell’Olmo” (the elm man) found in this area goes back to the Palaeolithic era and

the Etruscan times which has left many important signs of its artistic splendour (like the famous Chimera). Then the area has been populated during the Roman times and the middle Ages when the Console settled here in 1098 and the area became a free municipality (this state of liberty was interrupted in 1289 with the defeat against the Florentines and Siena during the famous battle of Campaldino). The splendour of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are still present as we can see in the many stones, which like a book written by thousands of hands, tells us about the work carried out by the artists living in this city (of great importance are the jewellery and the antique furniture which can be seen in a market organized every first Sunday of the month); among the most important artists who have lived and worked in Arezzo are Francesco Petrarca, Guittone d’Arezzo, Pietro Aretino and the architect and art historian Giorgio Vasari. In this town it’s easy to find the harmony and splendour of the past and be able to appreciate it as if it was today, you just have to stop by in front of the façade of the Gothic Cathedral, in which the Pope Gregorio X is buried, to admire the Basilica of San Francesco or the recently restored Legend of the “Vera Croce” by Piero della Francesca in the Bacci Chapel. Another splendid trace of history is the Church of San Domenico and the wooden Crucifix by Cimabue. After having admired these beauties you can go to the Archaeological Museum and the Roman Amphitheater, a piece of history perfectly conserved and with all its the magnificent fascination still intact. Finally, you should not miss to visit Petrarca’s house and remember that he was strolling down the same streets when he dreamt about his Laura in form of hendecasyllabic verses. We would like to invite you all to explore the narrow streets of many centuries of history and forget about the guide book: the stones of the buildings and the streets will automatically tell you all their stories and anecdotes about the millions of people who have visited these places before you. 

How much history is in the air in Arezzo! Whoever comes for the first time to the city will find a unique panorama that goes back to the Middle Ages. Lovers of cinema will not be able to help noticing that the natural scenery of many places in Arezzo and in nearby towns has been featured in Italian and international well-known films. 

Without a doubt, the most famous film shot in Arezzo is Roberto Benigni’s masterpiece, “Life Is Beautiful”. In 1997 it won a David di Donatello, the grand prize at Cannes, and three Oscars. The actor and director chose to shoot the first part of the film in Piazza Grande, Piazza del Duomo and any number of roads in the centre. The film has left an indelible mark in the memory of the people of Arezzo. Still today people in the city remember the days when Benigni came to Arezzo and captured everybody’s attention. The famous scene in which the protagonist of the film by bycicle meets the woman who would become his wife was filmed in Piazzetta del Duomo in front of the famous Caffè dei Costanti. Today there is a plaque there celebrating Arezzo’s Oscar.