Bed & Breakfast Baci da Arezzo

about arezzo

Arezzo is a Tuscan town, centrally located between Rome and Florence, just off the A1 route, only 2 hours drive from Rome and 1 hour from Florence. It's an ancient walled town that dates back to Etruscan and Roman times.

The hilltop of the town is home of the Duomo, the Palazzo Comunale and the Fortezza Medicea. From here the streets wind their way down the hill to the main roads and town walls.

The historical reenactment called Saracino Joust takes place every year in Arezzo on the third of Saturday of June, by night and on the first Sunday of September, in the afternoon. The protagonists of the event are the four quarters of the town of Arezzo:

* Porta Crucifera known as Colcitrone ( green and red ),
* Porta del Foro known as Porta S.Lorentino ( yellow and crimson ),
* Porta Sant'Andrea ( white and green )
* Porta Santo Spirito ( yellow and blue ).

Arezzo includes four splendid valleys:
Casentino, Valdichiana, Valtiberina, Valdarno.

Casentino is the upper valley of the Arno, which flows down from Monte Falterona as far as the outskirts of Arezzo. Land of castles, fortified hamlets and romanesque Pievi along the ancient pilgrim routes ( Camaldoli, La Verna ).

Valdichiana is the largest of the Appennine valleys, where archeological evidence and cultural tradition reveals its ancient civilization.
It is the birthplace of Luca Signorelli, Sansovino and Pietro da Cortona, who left exceptional artistic treasures in their native towns.

Valtiberina or Upper Valley of Tiber, is the easternmost strip of Tuscany, taking its name from the river crossing it. This is the land of Piero della Francesca, born in Sansepolcro.

Valdarno the Arno valley is a colourful and picturesque spot, where Pievi, campaniles and hamlets are widespread everywhere.

Cortona - ( 35 Km ) The town of Cortona stand high on a hill ( 650 mt ) and has a spectacular views of the Valdichiana, Lake Trasimeno and Mount Amiata. Originally, an Etruscan stronghold, Cortona was conquered by the Romans and Goths before becoming a free commune in the 12th century when it enjoyed a period of notable splendour. The centre of Cortona is Piazza della Repubblica. The nearby Palazzo Pretorio houses Cortona's Etruscan Museum. The most important artifact is the famous bronze lamp which dates back to the V century a.c.
The Diocesan Museum opposite the cathedral contains the Annunciation by Beato Angelico and works by other major Tuscan artists, including Luca Signorelli, native of Cortona. Amongst Cortona's most beautiful churches are the Gothic Church of S. Francesco and the Sanctuary of S. Margherita which contains the tomb of the saint dead in 1362. The Medici fortress affords the best views of town and countryside. In the North East of Cortona the visitor can tour the hermitage Eremo delle Celle, founded by S. Francesco in 1211.

Montepulciano - ( 52 Km ) The highest of the Tuscan hill towns, Montepulciano, offers stunning views and fine example of Renaissance architecture. Montepulciano is also know as the pearl of the 15th century where there are many famous buildings to see such as the Cathedral, the Loggia del Mercato, the Avignonese and Tarugi palaces and also the Bucelli Palace with burial urns and Etruscan and Latin inscriptions. Other places of interest include the Church of St Agnese, the patron of the town and the Civic Museum.

Siena - ( 88 Km ) To the South west of Arezzo, edging throught the Chianti region, enter Siena and steps back to the Middle Ages. Formed by the meeting of three hills on which Siena is built, the square is divided into nine sections , commemorating the council of nine who governed the town in the 13th century. Twice a year, in July and August the inhabitants faithfully ricreate their medieval heritage in the Palio, a sumptuous pageant-cum-horse race around the campo.Important things to see are the Palazzo Pubblico, the museum and the Cathedral built in 1196.

Montalcino - ( 80 Km ) Montalcino is perched on top of hill overlooking the Val d'Orcia, the Val d'Arbia and the Valle dell'Ombrone.
A town having a typical medieval layout, Montalcino offers its visitors the Palazzo Comunale, the Cathedral and the churches of S. Agostino, S. Egidio and S. Francesco. In the Archeological Museum you may see a number of interesting prehistorical and Etruscan findings from the area whilst in the Museo Civico may see two terracottas by Andrea della Robbia.

Firenze - ( 75 Km ) Florence is almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula, and it is one of the most important cities for art, architecture, culture, commerce and industry.
Florence began its rebirth after the decadence of the Barbaric ages and reached the highest splendour between the 11th and the 15th century, as a free city. Then came under the rule of the Medici Family , who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. The Italian painting Cimabue and Giotto, the innovators of the Renaissance Brunelleschi and Donatello, the universal men like Leonardo and Michelangelo lived here. Other sites to visite are: the Uffizi, the Buonarroti House with Michelangelo's sculptures, the Academy, the Medici Chapel, the Baptistry with its mosaics, the Duomo and many other monuments to see.

Baci da Arezzo