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10 -13 May 2025  Arezzo Fiere e Congressi, Italy
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Cultural itineraries

Cultural itineraries

DISCOVER THE CITY OF AREZZO AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Discover the excellence of the city of Arezzo and its surrounding area through thematic routes designed to highlight the environment, art, history, and craftsmanship. From itineraries through ancient Etruscan, Roman, and medieval Arezzo to the villages and valleys around it, each stop tells a story of the most authentic Tuscany.

OROAREZZO invites you to explore these curated experiences to appreciate the combination of cultural heritage and the local goldsmith artisanal tradition.

AREZZO ITINERARY

A city of art with authentic charm, Arezzo preserves centuries of history and culture within its streets and squares. An ancient Etruscan and Roman colony, it is now known worldwide for its extraordinary artistic heritage and for being the set of Roberto Benigni’s film Life is Beautiful.

This itinerary guides you through the historic center, from Piazza Grande with the Vasari Loggia to the Gothic Cathedral, including the works of Piero della Francesca and the House of Petrarch. Among Romanesque churches, medieval palaces, and Renaissance corners, each stop tells the story of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

To complete the experience, discover the local gastronomic and artisanal traditions, expressing the deep connection between art, history, and the territory.

ETRUSCAN ITINERARY 

The Etruscan itinerary leads to San Cornelio – Castelsecco, just outside the historic center, where on the hilltop remain the ruins of a theater-temple dating back to the 2nd century BC. This archaeological site, set in nature, offers a tangible testimony of Arezzo’s connection to its Etruscan origins and allows visitors to imagine the religious and cultural life of the time.

MEDIEVAL ITINERARY

In the Middle Ages, Arezzo maintained its prestige and became an important center of the Carolingian Holy Roman Empire. The medieval itinerary starts at the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art in Palazzo Bruni-Ciocchi and continues through the city’s historic streets, reaching Piazza San Francesco with the basilica that houses Piero della Francesca’s frescoes of the Legend of the True Cross. Walking along Via dei Palagi and Via di Pellicceria, traces of the Middle Ages appear in the portals, windows, and façades of 13th- and 14th-century buildings, offering an authentic glimpse into the life and art of medieval Arezzo.

GIORGIO VASARI ITINERARY

To discover the works of the famous Aretine painter, architect, and art historian, this itinerary guides visitors through his masterpieces scattered throughout the city.

The route begins at the Cathedral, where Vasari created the organ’s base and the wooden choir stalls, and continues to the Diocesan Museum, featuring works such as La Madonna della Misericordia. It then reaches the Casa del Vasari on Via XX Settembre and the State Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, with paintings like The Marriage of Esther and Ahasuerus (1549). The visit continues through the churches of SS. Annunziata, Santissima Trinità, and the Abbey of Saints Flora and Lucilla, culminating at the Palazzo delle Logge Vasari, an architectural masterpiece by the artist.This itinerary offers a comprehensive insight into Vasari’s genius, encompassing painting, architecture, and urban design, in the heart of Arezzo.

PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA ITINERARY

The itinerary exploring the works of Piero della Francesca begins in Arezzo, passes through Monterchi, and concludes in Sansepolcro, the artist’s hometown.

In Arezzo, visitors can admire the Legend of the True Cross cycle in the Basilica of San Francesco and the Mary Magdalene fresco in the Cathedral. In Monterchi stands the famous Madonna del Parto, while in Sansepolcro the Civic Museum houses four works, including frescoes and paintings, offering a comprehensive view of the artist’s genius.

VALDICHIANA ITINERARY

The Valdichiana, south of Arezzo, is a land of art, history, and gastronomy. Inhabited since the Etruscan era, it preserves archaeological artifacts in the museums and sites of Camucia, Foiano, and Cortona. The valley has also been home to great artists, including Luca Signorelli, Pietro da Cortona, and Andrea Sansovino.

Among the villages to visit, Monte San Savino stands out with its medieval gates, the Cassero, and the Ceramics Museum. Valdichiana is also famous for its cuisine: local meats and wines make every stop an authentic experience of the territory.

CORTONA ITINERARY

Cortona, perched on the hill overlooking the Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno, is a city of timeless charm. The itinerary includes a visit to the Archaeological Park, the Etruscan Museum, and the medieval town center, featuring the main squares, the Signorelli Theater, and the MAEC.

Strolling through the streets of the village, visitors encounter artisan workshops, art galleries, and restaurants where they can enjoy typical Cortonese dishes, such as pici with ragù, Chianina Fiorentina steak, and other local specialties, accompanied by the area’s fine wines.

CASENTINO ITINERARY

The Casentino, framed by the Casentino Forests National Park, is a valley rich in medieval history and spirituality. Amid centuries-old woods and rolling landscapes, visitors can find castles, fortified villages, ancient parish churches, and abbeys, such as the Hermitage of La Verna and the Hermitage of Camaldoli.

Among the main villages are Poppi, with the Counts Guidi Castle; Pratovecchio, the birthplace of Paolo Uccello; and Stia, with the Romanesque parish church of Santa Maria Assunta. Casentino thus offers a unique journey through nature, art, and medieval architecture.

VALDARNO ITINERARY

The Valdarno area of Arezzo is a valley rich in history, art, and nature, where visitors can admire bell towers, towers, parish churches, castles, and villages such as Loro Ciuffenna, Gropina, and Cennina. San Giovanni Valdarno preserves medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the home of Masaccio’s family.

The valley offers stunning natural landscapes, from the Cavriglia Park, with its forests and free wildlife, to the spectacular Balze cliffs, and the Ponte Buriano and Penna Nature Reserve. The area combines art, history, and nature into a complete and varied itinerary.

VALTIBERINA ITINERARY

The Upper Tiber Valley, the birthplace of the river and a crossroads of Umbrian, Etruscan, Byzantine, and Lombard civilizations, preserves historical and cultural heritage in its villages, castles, monasteries, and villas. Among the main centers are Anghiari and Pieve Santo Stefano, rich in art and artisanal traditions.The valley also features numerous nature reserves, such as Sasso di Simone, the Rognosi Mountains, Alpe della Luna, and Monte Nero, where nature and history come together in breathtaking landscapes.

SANSEPOLCRO ITINERARY

Sansepolcro, the birthplace of Piero della Francesca and the heart of the Arezzo Tiber Valley, preserves the medieval layout of its historic center, enriched with Renaissance and Baroque buildings.

The itinerary includes the artist’s birthplace, the Civic Museum with his works, the Cathedral of San Giovanni Evangelista, and the central Piazza Torre di Berta, all bearing witness to a history marked by battles, earthquakes, and artistic prestige.

ANGHIARI ITINERARY

Anghiari, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, rises on a hill between the Tiber River and the Sovara stream and is famous for the Battle of Anghiari in 1440.

The itinerary takes visitors to Piazza Baldaccio, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with its civic tower, Palazzo Pretorio, and the Torre del Cassero. In the historic center, there is also the State Museum of Palazzo Taglieschi, featuring paintings and wooden sculptures, and the Palazzo della Battaglia, which tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous lost painting. In the surrounding area, parish churches, castles, and villas bear witness to a past rich in art and history.