Travel Guide Arezzo

What a pleasure it is to stroll through Arezzo, a town rich in Etruscan and Roman monuments and remains, that hasn't sold its soul to tourism! Nestled in the Val di Chiana, forming with Florence and Siena the "Golden Triangle of Chianti", Arezzo has developed around a central core where much of its history is concentrated. Complex in structure, perched on a hill and accessible by (handy!) escalators, it takes time to explore all its aspects. Perhaps one reason why mass tourism hasn't invaded this hidden gem, this forgotten treasure of Tuscany, clearly underestimated by us.Here, Guido d'Arezzo (the inventor of musical notation in the 11th century), Petrarch, the Aretines and Vasari were all born! It was also here that Roberto Benigni chose to set up his camera for Life is Beautiful.Arezzo's rich history, museums, boutiques, narrow medieval streets, churches (twelve of them!) and incomparable treasures are well worth a visit. And for connoisseurs, every last Saturday and first Sunday of the month there's a famous antiques market, the Fiera antiquaria di Arezzo, much sought-after by collectors from all over the world.Put on your hat and pull on your pourpoint! Arezzo loves to recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and its tournaments. Every year, on the third Saturday in June and the first Sunday in September, the famous Giostra del Saracino is held in the Piazza Grande. The city's four districts challenge each other by sending their best riders to aim at a dummy at full gallop. Arezzo's inhabitants are plunged back into the 13th century, in a city ready to defend Christianity. A not-to-be-missed show in an overexcited atmosphere!